A coordinate grid has four separate sections called quadrants. When plotting points or carrying out transformations, you may need to use one or more of the four quadrants.
Identifying the four quadrants
The 1st,2nd,3rd, and 4th quadrants are visualised below. The 2nd,3rd and 4th quadrants all involve negative numbers, either on the x-axis, the y-axis, or both.
Plotting points
For any coordinate on a graph, the first value given is the x-coordinate and the second value is the y-coordinate. To plot a point, firstly find the x-coordinate on the x-axis, then either go up or down to the level of the y-coordinate on the y- axis.
Note: If the y-coordinate is positive, move up and if the y-coordinate is negative, move down instead.
Example
Plot the points A(6,7);B(−2,4);C(−3,−3);D(2,−5) on the grid below.
Point A: Find 6 on the x-axis, then move up 7 spaces.
Point B: Find −2 on the x-axis, then move up 4 spaces.
Point C: Find −3 on the x-axis, then move down 3 spaces.
Point D: Find 2 on the x-axis, then move down 5 spaces.
Note: "Along the corridor and up the stairs" is a reminder of the order in which to plot coordinates.