Coordinate Graphing
Grade 5 · Math · Study Guide
Learn to plot ordered pairs and navigate the coordinate plane in the first quadrant.
The coordinate plane is a flat surface made by two perpendicular number lines: the horizontal x-axis and the vertical y-axis. They cross at the origin, which is the point (0, 0).
Every point on the coordinate plane is described by an ordered pair (x, y). The first number (x-coordinate) tells how far to move right along the x-axis; the second number (y-coordinate) tells how far to move up along the y-axis.
In Grade 5, we work in the first quadrant, where both x and y values are zero or positive. To plot a point, always start at the origin, move right by x, then up by y.
| Point | x-move (right) | y-move (up) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| (3, 4) | 3 units right | 4 units up | 3 right, 4 up |
| (0, 5) | 0 units right (stay) | 5 units up | On the y-axis |
| (6, 0) | 6 units right | 0 units up (stay) | On the x-axis |
| Description | Ordered Pair |
|---|---|
| 5 right, 2 up | (5, 2) |
| On x-axis, 4 right | (4, 0) |
| At origin | (0, 0) |
Key terms
- Coordinate Plane
- A flat grid with an x-axis and y-axis used to locate points.
- Ordered Pair
- A pair of numbers (x, y) that identify a point on the coordinate plane.
- Origin
- The point (0, 0) where the x-axis and y-axis meet.
- x-axis
- The horizontal number line on a coordinate plane.
- y-axis
- The vertical number line on a coordinate plane.
Practice questions
What is the x-coordinate of the point (7, 3)?
- 3
- 7
- 10
- 0
Show answer
Answer: 7
In (x, y), the first number is the x-coordinate. Here it is 7.
Which ordered pair is located on the y-axis?
- (4, 0)
- (0, 6)
- (3, 3)
- (5, 2)
Show answer
Answer: (0, 6)
Points on the y-axis have an x-coordinate of 0. (0, 6) fits this.
To plot (4, 5), move ___ units right and ___ units up.
Show answer
Answer: 4, 5
The x-value (4) tells us to go right, and the y-value (5) tells us to go up.
A point is 2 units right and 8 units up. Its ordered pair is ___.
Show answer
Answer: (2, 8)
x-coordinate = 2 (right), y-coordinate = 8 (up). Ordered pair: (2, 8).
Point A is at (0, 0). What is that point called?
- x-intercept
- y-intercept
- The origin
- The midpoint
Show answer
Answer: The origin
(0, 0) is where the x-axis and y-axis meet, called the origin.
Fun facts
- GPS coordinates use the same idea as the coordinate plane — latitude and longitude are basically (y, x) pairs for any spot on Earth!
- Video game maps use coordinate systems so the computer knows exactly where every character and object is located.
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