The x-axis and y-axis extend past zero into negative numbers. They split the plane into four quadrants. A point like (−3, 4) is 3 to the left of the origin and 4 up.
Signs tell you the quadrant. (+, +) is top right, (−, +) is top left, (−, −) is bottom left and (+, −) is bottom right. Points on an axis have a zero coordinate, like (0, −2) on the y-axis.
Worked example
Point A is 5 left of the origin and 2 down. What are its coordinates?
- Left means a negative x-coordinate: −5.
- Down means a negative y-coordinate: −2.
Answer:(−5, −2)
Key words
- quadrant
- one of the four regions of the grid
- origin
- (0, 0), where the axes cross
- ordered pair
- (x, y), across then up
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 6.NS.C.6, 6.NS.C.8