We use coordinates to show the position of a point on a grid.

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Coordinates are often used on maps and graphs.

A coordinate grid has two axes.

One of these is horizontal (x) and the other is vertical (y).

Look at the green circle.

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It is four squares along and three squares up. We write this as (4,3).

Remember to read and write the coordinates in the right order. Here are some tricks to help…

x then y

(because x comes before y in the alphabet)

x is a(cross)

and

y is in the sky!

Go ALONG the corridor

(along the x-axis)

and UP the stairs

(up the y-axis)

The pink circle can be found at (2,4).

Remember to write coordinates in brackets and separate the numbers with a comma. The blue circle below is at (1,4).

Can you find the coordinates of the other coloured circles?

The point (0,0) is also called the origin.

Red:

Green:

Yellow:

This grid has four quadrants. The x and y axis have positive and negative numbers!

Remember to

look at the x-axis first

(going across

from left to right)

and then the y-axis

(going up and down).

The coordinates of these circles are:

(2,5) (4,-3) (-4,0) (-2, -4)

We can join points on a grid to make lines and shapes.

The coordinates of the corners of this square are

(6, 5), (9, 5),

(6, 8) and (9, 8).

The coordinates of the points on this line are

(1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 3), (1, 4) and (1, 5).

If one of the points on a shape is missing, you may be asked to work out the correct coordinates.

Using a ruler to draw the missing lines might help.

Can you work out the missing coordinates on the square and rectangle above?

Missing coordinates:

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A. Square:

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B. Rectangle:

If the grid lines and labels on the axes are missing,

use the coordinates of the other points to help you…

x coordinate

The x coordinate is 20 because it is the same distance

across as the bottom-right corner of the rectangle.

y coordinate

The y coordinate is 12 because it is the same height as the top-left corner of the rectangle.

The coordinates of the missing corner are (20, 12).

The compass directions on a map can help us to work out which way to go!

Here are some tricks to help you remember the correct order!

Horizontal lines cross the y axis and vertical lines cross the x axis.

Equation of this line:

y = -2

Equation of this line:

y = 3

Equation of this line:

x = -4

Equation of this line:

x = 1

Answers:

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1. ​

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• E.g. (2,7) (3,4) (6,2) (9,1)

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3)

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4)

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5)

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Write the coordinates for the following:

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Crescent:

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Diamond:

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Heart:

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Triangle:

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Square:

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Smiley Face:

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Vectors

Vectors describe the movement you are making on a grid.