Coordinates in the first quadrant

In a nutshell

Coordinates show the location of a point against the $x$ and $y$ axis. They can be plotted on a graph which has four corners called quadrants. The first quadrant is in the upper right side of a graph. Here both the $x$ and $y$ values of the coordinates will be positive numbers.

Positions on a graph

Graphs and coordinates have specific features:

$x$ axis	Horizontal line.
$y$ axis	Vertical line.
Origin	The point $(0,0)$ where the $x$ and $y$ axis cross.
Quadrants	The four corners of the graph separated by the $x$ and $y$ axis.

Plotting points

The first number in a coordinate shows the value on the $x$ axis. The second number in a coordinate shows the value on the $y$ axis. So, to find a coordinate "follow the corridor and go up the stairs".

Example 1

Plot the point  $P (2,5)$ .

Maths; Geometry - position and direction; KS2 Year 4; Coordinates in the first quadrant

Note: Coordinates can be plotted on a graph with a dot or a cross.

Identifying points in the first quadrant

You also need to find the coordinates of a point on a graph. Follow a point down to the $x$ axis for the first coordinate and across to the $y$ axis for the second coordinate.

Example 2

Use the grid below to identify the coordinates for points $A$ , $B$  and $C$ .

Maths; Geometry - position and direction; KS2 Year 4; Coordinates in the first quadrant

$\underline{A: (1,2)}$

$\underline{B :(3,2)}$

$\underline{C :(3,4)}$

Note: Coordinates on the same horizontal line have the same $y$ value. Coordinates on the same vertical line have the same $x$ value.