Read coordinates
The point (4, 2) is 4 across and 2 up.
Read x first, then y.
Year 5
Read and plot coordinates in the first quadrant and translate simple shapes
Read, plot and translate points and simple shapes in the first quadrant.
Lesson overview
Geometry - position and direction
Coordinates tell us where a point is on a grid. In the first quadrant, both coordinates are positive. The x-coordinate tells us how far across to move, and the y-coordinate tells us how far up to move.
Plot a point
To plot (6, 3), move 6 along the x-axis and 3 up the y-axis.
Across first, then up.
Translate a shape
If every point moves 2 right and 1 up, the whole shape translates the same way.
Move every vertex by the same amount.
Worked example
A point is at (3, 5). Translate it 2 squares right and 1 square down.
- Add 2 to the x-coordinate: 3 becomes 5.
- Subtract 1 from the y-coordinate: 5 becomes 4.
- Write the new point as (5, 4).
- The translated point is (5, 4).
Round 1: Learn it
Read x first, then y, and move every vertex by the same amount.
Finish this round to unlock Round 2: Show you know it.
Question 1
In the coordinate pair (4, 2), which number tells how far across to move?
Question 2
What does the coordinate (6, 3) mean?
Question 3
A point at (3, 5) moves 2 right. What is the new x-coordinate?
Question 4
If a point moves 1 square down, what happens to the y-coordinate?
Question 5
To translate a shape, what must happen to each vertex?
Common mistakes
Watch for these as you work through the lesson.
- Reading the y-coordinate before the x-coordinate.
- Moving only one point of a translated shape.
- Adding when the translation says to move down or left.
Related topics
These ideas connect closely to this lesson.
- Identify, describe and represent the position of a shape following a reflection or translation, using the appropriate language.
- Solve comparison, sum and difference problems using information presented in a line graph.