Negative numbers · Usually met around P5
Coordinates in four quadrants
Across, then up; left and down are negative.
How to do it
Method
Across, then up; left and down are negative
(−3, 2): 3 left, 2 up
Another way
Read both axes
x-axis below: −3; y-axis across: 2
In full
A point's coordinates (x, y) give the across first, then the up or down: x says how many squares to go right (positive) or left (negative) from the origin (0, 0), and y how many up (positive) or down (negative). (−3, 2) is 3 squares left of the origin, then 2 up. Or read the two axes directly: the number on the x-axis straight above or below the point is x, and the number on the y-axis straight across from it is y. Two points on the same across line, either side of the y-axis, are the two parts added apart: (−3, 2) and (4, 2) are 3 + 4 = 7 squares apart.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
Point A is at (-4, -2). From the origin, go □ squares left, then □ squares down, to reach A.
Fill in each box
Show the answer and working
Answer: 4，2
x is -4: 4 left; y is -2: 2 down.
Example 2
How many squares apart are A(-5, 3) and B(2, 3)?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 7 squares
A and B are on the same across line: A is 5 left of the y-axis and B 2 right, so 5 + 2 = 7 squares apart.
Example 3
The point (-4, -4) is to the left of the y-axis and above the x-axis.
True or false?
Show the answer and working
Answer: False
x is -4: negative is left of the y-axis, positive right. y is -4: positive is above the x-axis, negative below.
Practise it in the game →Negative numbers · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download