Graphs · The coordinate plane · 1.2

Plot a point.

To plot (x, y), start at the origin, move x units across (right if +, left if −), then y units up or down. Mark the point where you land.

01 / THE IDEA

See it work.

Watch the method

Plot a point

Plot (−3, 2): left 3, up 2.

1 / 1
-6-666(-3, 2)
1

Read across, then up

Go 3 left (x), then 2 up (y).

(−3, 2)(-3,\, 2)
02 / YOUR TURN

Practice until it feels automatic.

Your turn

Plot the point.

Click the grid to plot .

streak 0
best 0
-6-666
— / WHY IT WORKS

The idea underneath.

Across, then up

Move along the x-axis first, then parallel to the y-axis. Negative means left or down.

Why it works

(−3, 2): left 3, up 2.

03 / WORKED EXAMPLES

From easy to tricky.

EX 1easy

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

1

Read across, then up

Go 4 right (x), then 6 up (y). (4, 6)

EX 2medium

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

1

Read across, then up

Go 1 left (x), then 2 down (y). (-1, -2)

EX 3hard

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

1

Read across, then up

Go 4 left (x), then 1 down (y). (-4, -1)

04 / COMMON TRAPS

Where students slip.

Trap

Going up before across.

Fix

Move across (x) first, then up/down (y).

Trap

Ignoring the signs.

Fix

Negative x is left; negative y is down.

05 / QUIZ

Test yourself.

The Test

12 problems across three tiers. Auto-graded on submit. Hints and a full walkthrough on every question. Your work is saved on this device — sign in to keep it across devices.

0/12Answered
How to answerType just the value. Formatting won't trip you up — we ignore spaces, capital letters, commas, and subscript style, so t₁ = 5, d = 3 and t1=5,d=3 both count. For a list of numbers, separate them with commas (e.g. 3, 10, 17).
Core

Core (4)

C1

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
C2

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
C3

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
C4

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
Apply

Apply (4)

A1

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
A2

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
A3

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
A4

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
Extension

Extension (4)

E1

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
E2

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
E3

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.
E4

Name the coordinates of the plotted point.

Need a hint?
  • Move across by x first.
  • Then up or down by y.