Foundation and Higher · coordinates

Coordinates in
all four quadrants.
x first, then y.

along the corridor,
then up the stairs

every point has an address —

(x, y)

x · across, always first

y · up or down, second

step 1 of 4

Read a point

1. Start at the origin, (0, 0).

2. x first: 3 across. Then y: 2 up.

✓ P is the point (3, 2)

step 2 of 4

Negative coordinates

1. Negative x means go left.

2. Negative y means go down.

✓ A (−4, 3)   B (−2, −5)   C (4, −3)

step 3 of 4

Points on an axis

1. (0, 4): none across, 4 up. On the y-axis.

2. (−3, 0): 3 left, none up. On the x-axis.

✓ A zero puts the point on an axis

step 4 of 4

Complete the rectangle

1. D is straight above A: same x, −3.

2. D is level with C: same y, 4.

✓ D is (−3, 4)

coordinates —

(x, y)

x first: alphabetical order

x

right is +, left is −

y

up is +, down is −

Along the corridor,
then up or down the stairs.

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