Coordinates (Edexcel GCSE Maths: Foundation)

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Naomi C

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Naomi C

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2D Coordinates

What are 2D coordinates?

  • A graph in two dimensions is also known as a Cartesian plane
  • The two dimensions are usually labelled x and y
    • The horizontal axis is x and the vertical axis is y
  • The two axes meet where x and y are both 0
    • This point, (0, 0), is known as the origin
  • The coordinate (xy) tells you the position of the point relative to the origin
    • For the x  value
      • A negative value means that the point is x  units to the left of the origin
      • A positive value means that the point is x  units to the right of the origin
    • For the y  value
      • A negative value means that the point is y  units below the origin
      • A positive value means that the point is y  units above the origin

Examiner Tip

  • "Along the corridor, up the stairs" is a useful way of remembering which way round (xy) is.
  • Pay close attention to the scale shown on the axes.

Worked example

(a)
Write down the coordinates of the point A shown on the axes below. 
(b)
Mark the point B (3, -2) on the axes below.

2d-coordinates-we

(a)

A is 3 left of the origin so x = −3
A is 4 above the origin so y = 4

(−3, 4)

 

(b)
Starting at the origin, count 3 squares right and two squares down
Mark the point with a solid circle or a cross 
6j_PGh2e_2d-coordinates-we-answer

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Naomi C

Author: Naomi C

Expertise: Maths

Naomi graduated from Durham University in 2007 with a Masters degree in Civil Engineering. She has taught Mathematics in the UK, Malaysia and Switzerland covering GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level and IB. She particularly enjoys applying Mathematics to real life and endeavours to bring creativity to the content she creates.