Coordinates
(x, y) ordered pairs. Year 4 plots in the first quadrant; Year 6 extends to all four.
(x, y) means x along, y up. Year 4 plots positive integer pairs; Year 6 extends to negative coordinates (all four quadrants). Year 6 SATs test plotting reflections of shapes across axes.
Worked examples
(3, 2) is 3 right, 2 up from the origin (0, 0).
(−2, 4) is 2 left, 4 up — second quadrant.
Reflecting (3, 2) in the x-axis gives (3, −2); in the y-axis gives (−3, 2).
Frequently asked questions
Why x first?
Convention: x is horizontal, y is vertical, x before y. The mnemonic is ‘along the corridor, up the stairs’.
(3, 0) — on the axis or in a quadrant?
On the x-axis — not in any quadrant. Quadrants exclude the axes themselves.