Coordinates and moving shapes · Usually met around P4
Coordinates (x, y)
Across first, then up: x, then y.
How to do it
Method
Across first, then up: x, then y
(3, 5): right 3, up 5
Another way
Along the corridor, up the stairs
(3, 5): 3 along, then 5 up
In full
A point (x, y) is across first, then up: from the origin (0, 0), go x along the x-axis to the right, then y up. To read a point, look straight down to the x-axis for x and straight across to the y-axis for y. Coordinates count the grid lines from 0, not the squares. (3, 5) and (5, 3) are different points. Comparing two points: the difference in x is how far apart they are across; the difference in y, up and down. Or remember “along the corridor, then up the stairs”.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
The points (8, 0) and (8, 4) are on the same upright line. How many squares apart are they?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 4 squares
Same x, so they differ only up and down: the bigger y take away the smaller is 4.
Example 2
Point A is at (2, 8).
True or false?
Show the answer and working
Answer: False
Down from A is 1 on the x-axis, across is 8 on the y-axis: A is (1, 8).
Example 3
Point A is at (5, 10). Point B is 4 squares to the right of A and 2 squares below it. B is at (□, □).
Fill in each box
Show the answer and working
Answer: 9，8
Right adds to x: 5 + 4 = 9. Down takes from y: 10 − 2 = 8.
Practise it in the game →Coordinates and moving shapes · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download