L3 · The four quadrants: plotting points

Learning goal

“I can plot and read integral ordered pairs in all four quadrants of the Cartesian plane, I can name a point's quadrant from the signs of its coordinates, and I know points on an axis belong to no quadrant.”

Quadrant — one of the four regions the two axes cut the plane into, numbered I, II, III, IV counterclockwise starting at the top right.

Origin — the point (0, 0) where the axes cross; every journey on the plane starts here.

Ordered pair — (x, y): x tells the move across (right + / left -), y tells the move up or down (up + / down -). Order matters.

Integral coordinates — both coordinates are integers (...-2, -1, 0, 1, 2...) - the only kind used in this unit.

Worked example

Extend the Grade 6 plane: the x-axis continues left past 0 into the negatives, and the y-axis continues down past 0 into the negatives. The axes split the plane into four quadrants. Step 1: Quadrant I (top right): x positive, y positive - ( +, + ). The Grade 6 home turf. Step 2: Quadrant II (top left): x negative, y positive - ( -, + ). Step 3: Quadrant III (bottom left): ( -, - ). Quadrant IV (bottom right): ( +, - ). Numbering runs COUNTERCLOCKWISE from the top right: I, II, III, IV. Say it plainly: you never need to memorize four separate facts - read the SIGNS. The x-sign tells left/right, the y-sign tells up/down, and together they name the quadrant.

Check yourself — explain it

The point (-2, 5) is in Quadrant II because...

Paired problem — example still visible

Name the quadrant of (6, -1). -> Quadrant IV (+, -)

Faded completion — last step is yours

"Quadrant III is the region where x is ___ and y is ___." -> Negative; negative

Ready to practise?

10 scored questions with a 3-rung hint ladder. Mastery needs 8/10 plus both gate questions.

Start practice →Take the unit quiz