What is the coordinate plane? A Grade 5 introduction

📚 What is the Coordinate Plane?

The coordinate plane is a grid formed by two number lines that intersect at a right angle. It helps us locate points in space using pairs of numbers.

➕ The Axes

• ➡️ x-axis: This is the horizontal number line. It runs from left to right. We also call it the abscissa.
• ⬆️ y-axis: This is the vertical number line. It runs up and down. We also call it the ordinate.
• 📍 Origin: This is the point where the x-axis and y-axis meet. Its coordinates are (0, 0).

🔢 Quadrants

The coordinate plane is divided into four regions called quadrants:

• ⬆️➡️ Quadrant I: The top right quadrant where both x and y values are positive.
• ⬅️⬆️ Quadrant II: The top left quadrant where x values are negative and y values are positive.
• ⬅️⬇️ Quadrant III: The bottom left quadrant where both x and y values are negative.
• ⬇️➡️ Quadrant IV: The bottom right quadrant where x values are positive and y values are negative.

📍 Coordinates: Finding Points

Each point on the coordinate plane is identified by an ordered pair of numbers called coordinates. The first number is the x-coordinate, and the second number is the y-coordinate. We write them as (x, y).

• 🗺️ To find a point (x, y), start at the origin.
• ➡️ Move 'x' units horizontally (right if x is positive, left if x is negative).
• ⬆️ Then, move 'y' units vertically (up if y is positive, down if y is negative).

✏️ Let's Practice!

Imagine a coordinate plane. Can you find these points?

1. Point A: (2, 3)
2. Point B: (-1, 4)
3. Point C: (-3, -2)
4. Point D: (4, -1)

📐 Coordinate Plane Table

Example Coordinate Plane Values:

❓ Practice Quiz

1. Plot the point (3,5). In which quadrant does it lie?
2. What are the coordinates of the origin?
3. Plot the point (-2,0). On which axis does it lie?
4. Plot the point (0,3). On which axis does it lie?
5. In which quadrant does the point (-4,3) lie?
6. In which quadrant does the point (2,-5) lie?
7. What is the x-coordinate called? What is the y-coordinate called?