Plotting Points

Plotting points on a coordinate plane is a fundamental skill in mathematics. A coordinate plane is formed by two number lines, called the x-axis and y-axis, that intersect at a right angle. The point where they intersect is called the origin and is denoted as (0, 0).

Coordinate Plane

The x-axis is the horizontal line on the coordinate plane, and the y-axis is the vertical line. Points on the coordinate plane are represented by ordered pairs (x, y), where 'x' is the value on the x-axis and 'y' is the value on the y-axis.

Plotting Points

To plot a point (x, y) on the coordinate plane, start at the origin and move 'x' units to the right (if x is positive) or left (if x is negative), and then move 'y' units up (if y is positive) or down (if y is negative). Place a dot at the new position to represent the point.

Study Guide

Here are the key steps to follow when plotting points:

Identify the ordered pair (x, y) that you need to plot.
Locate the origin (0, 0) on the coordinate plane.
Move 'x' units to the right or left from the origin, depending on the value of 'x'.
Move 'y' units up or down from the previous position, based on the value of 'y'.
Place a dot at the new position to represent the point (x, y).

Practice plotting points on the coordinate plane to strengthen your understanding of this concept.

◂Math Worksheets and Study Guides Sixth Grade. Plotting Points

Vocabulary/Answer key

Plotting Points

The resources above cover the following skills:

The Number System

Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

Understand a rational number as a point on the number line. Extend number line diagrams and coordinate axes familiar from previous grades to represent points on the line and in the plane with negative number coordinates. [6-NS6]

Understand signs of numbers in ordered pairs as indicating locations in quadrants of the coordinate plane; recognize that when two ordered pairs differ only by signs, the locations of the points are related by reflections across one or both axes. [6-NS6b]

Find and position integers and other rational numbers on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram; find and position pairs of integers and other rational numbers on a coordinate plane. [6-NS6c]

Solve real-world and mathematical problems by graphing points in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane. Include use of coordinates and absolute value to find distances between points with the same first coordinate or the same second coordinate. [6-NS8]