The Number Plane and Plotting Coordinates

By Lisa Mahon

The Number Plane and Quadrants

Two number lines at right angles create a number plane with 4 quadrants

2nd quadrant

1st quadrant

3rd quadrant

4th quadrant

x and y co-ordinates
Every point on the number plane can be found with two numbers. One along the horizontal scale labelled x and one on the vertical scale labelled y These are called co-ordinates (x, y) So (1,2) is one along the x scale from zero and two along the y scale from zero Where is (2, 3)? Or ( -2, 4) So, thats co-ordinates. Lets look at connecting them together

Or (-1,-4) Or (4,-3)

Connecting co-ordinates
(-4, 2) (-1,2) (1,2) (3,2) (5,2) If we connect these points we get a horizontal line

Connecting co-ordinates
Plot the following coordinates (-3,2), (3,2), (3,-1) (-2,-1)

If we connect these points in the order written we get a rectangle