Grade 6 Geometry: Coordinate Plane

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

1. Example 1

   What are the coordinates of the point on the grid? (x, y)

   1. Start at the origin, (0, 0), where the x-axis and y-axis cross.
   2. Count across along the x-axis: the point is 2 units to the right, so x = 2.
   3. Now count up: the point is 6 units up, so y = 6.
   4. Write x first, then y: the point is (2, 6).

   Answer: (2, 6)

2. Example 2

   What is the distance between (7, 7) and (7, 5)? Give your answer in units.

   1. Both points have x = 7, so they are on the same up-and-down line. Only the y-values change.
   2. The y-values are 7 and 5, on the same side of 0, so subtract their distances from 0: 7 − 5 = 2.
   3. So the distance is 2 units.

   Answer: 2 units

3. Example 3

   What are the coordinates of the point on the grid? (x, y)

   1. Start at the origin, (0, 0), where the x-axis and y-axis cross.
   2. Count across along the x-axis: the point is 2 units to the left, so x = −2.
   3. Now count down: the point is 5 units down, so y = −5.
   4. Write x first, then y: the point is (−2, −5).

   Answer: (-2, -5)