Virginia SOL Math / Grade 6 / Measurement & Geometry

6.MG.3

The Coordinate Plane

What you'll learn

  • Identify and label the axes, origin, and quadrants
  • Graph ordered pairs in all four quadrants
  • Identify the coordinates of a plotted point

Words to know

Ordered pair —
two numbers (x, y) that locate a point
x-axis —
the horizontal number line
y-axis —
the vertical number line
Origin —
the point (0, 0) where the axes cross
Quadrant —
one of the four regions of the coordinate plane

Why it matters Maps, screens, and graphs use coordinates to name exact locations, so we can find and describe any point.

Worked examples

Model ItI do

In which quadrant is the point (-3, 4) located?

The x-value is negative and the y-value is positive, which is the upper-left region. That is Quadrant II.

Try It TogetherWe do

Describe how to plot the point (2, -5).

Start at the origin, move 2 units right along the x-axis, then 5 units down along the y-axis. The point lands in Quadrant IV.

Now YouYou do

In which quadrant is the point (-6, -1) located?

Check the signs of both coordinates. Check your answer in the back of this chapter.

Practice

Mastered 0 of 11

Warm-up

Ease in with the basics.

  1. 1.In which quadrant is the point (4, 5)?

  2. 2.What are the coordinates of the origin?

  3. 3.In which quadrant is (-3, -2)?

On Level

The core Quick Check from the book.

  1. 1.What are the coordinates of the origin?

  2. 2.In which quadrant is (5, 3)?

  3. 3.In which quadrant is (-2, -7)?

  4. 4.The point (0, 4) lies on which axis?

  5. 5.To plot (3, 6), which direction do you move first from the origin?

Challenge

Stretch your thinking.

  1. 1.A rectangle has corners at (2, 1), (2, 5), and (7, 1). What are the coordinates of the fourth corner?

  2. 2.The point (-5, 0) lies on which axis?

  3. 3.Point A is at (3, 4). It is reflected across the y-axis. What are the new coordinates?