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Unit F4 Section 1
Positive Coordinates

Coordinates are pairs of numbers that uniquely describe a position on a rectangular grid. The system was invented by the 17th century French mathematician, René Descartes. These numbers are sometimes referred to as Cartesian coordinates.

The first number refers to the horizontal (x-axis) and the second the vertical (y-axis). The coordinates (4, 3) describe a point that is 4 units across and 3 units up on a grid from the origin (0, 0).

Worked Examples

1

Plot the points with coordinates

(3, 8), (6, 1) and (2, 5)

For (3, 8) move 3 across and 8 up.

For (6, 1) move 6 across and 1 up.

For (2, 5) move 2 across and 5 up.
2

Write down the coordinates of each point in the diagram below.

A is 6 across and 5 up, so the coordinates are (6, 5).

B has no movement across and is straight up 5, so the coordinates are (0, 5).

C is 6 across and 3 up, so the coordinates are (6, 3).

D is 8 across and no movement up, so the coordinates are (8, 0).

Exercises

Write down the coordinates of each point on the diagram below.

A (, )

B (, )

C (, )

D (, )

E (, )

F (, )

The map of an island has been drawn on a grid.

Write down the coordinates of each place marked on the map.

Rocky Point (, )

Café (, )

Camp Site (, )

Old Ben's Cottage (, )

Old Tower (, )

Sandy Beach (, )

Landing Stage (, )

On a grid, join the points with the following coordinates and write down the name of the shape you draw.

(a)

(4, 2) (8, 2) (8, 5) (4, 5)

(b)

(2, 1) (6, 1) (4, 6)

(c)

(1, 4) (3, 7) (5, 4) (3, 1)

(d)

(4, 0) (3, 2) (5, 4) (7, 2) (6, 0)

(e)

(1, 1) (0, 3) (1, 5) (3, 5) (4, 3) (3, 1)

The pattern below is made up of 5 circles. Write down the coordinates of the centre of each circle.

Start from left.

(, )

(, )

(, )

(, )

(, )