Plotting Points on the Coordinate Plane

In class we have been working with ordered pairs and locating and graphing points on a coordinate plane. Remember that the “x” coordinate is always the first number in the ordered pair, and the “y” coordinate is the second number. The “x” coordinate tells you how far and which way to move on the x-axis, while the “y” coordinate lets you know how far and which direction to move on the y-axis. Positive numbers mean to move right or up on the plane, and negative values tell you to move to the left or down.

First, print out this sheet, if it has not been printed for you.

Now click on the link to visit ExploreMath.com’s site to view the activity entitled “Points in the x-y plane”(http://www

.exploremath.com/activities/Activity_page.cfm?ActivityID=1). Do the following activities and answer the questions. (You may need to scroll down to see the entire coordinate plane and symbols beneath it.)

1. Click on the orange point in the box. Drag the point around the x-y plane. As you move the point, what three parts of the screen tell the location of the point? Describe the three parts and tell how they each show the point’s coordinates.

2. Drag the orange point to Quadrant I. Change the location of the point by moving the squares on the slide bars. How does the point move when you change the x slider? How does it move when you change the y slider?

3. Highlight the numbers next to the x slide bar (the x coordinate). Type in a new number for x. Do the same for the y slide bar. Write the new coordinates and predict in which quadrant the point will appear. Press “Enter” and see if you were right!

4. Drag four points onto the graph so that they form a rectangle with each point located in a different quadrant. Make sure your coordinates are integers (no decimals!) Was it difficult to make the coordinates integers? How could you more easily plot the points to form a rectangle?

5. Drag three points off of the plane, leaving just one point. Enter the coordinates (4, 7) next to the slide bars. Remember to press the “Enter” key. Now drag a second point onto the plane. Next to the slide bars, enter the coordinates so this point will be located six units to the left, and ten units down. (Enter!) Record the coordinates for point #2. Drag over a third point. Use the numbers next to the slide bars to move this point five units right and two units up from point #2. Record the coordinates of point #3.

6. Give your opinion of this activity. Was it fun? Was it too easy, too hard, or just about right? What would you change? Do you have an idea for an activity/question you would like to see added?