In an ( x, y) ordered pair, the first number tells us the x-coordinate of the point and the second number tells us the y-coordinate of the point. To graph ( -1 12, 12), we first find -1 12 on the x-axis and make a mental note of this grid line. The x-coordinate -1 12 tells us to move 1 12 units to the left of the origin — the negative horizontal direction.
Next, we find 12 on the y-axis and follow this grid line until it collides with the grid line from our x-coordinate. The y-coordinate 12 tells us to move 12 if a unit up from the origin — the positive vertical direction.
The point ( -1 12, 12) lies on the point at which these two grid lines intersect. Now we want to describe the location of this point. Recall what we know about the quadrants of a coordinate plane. The coordinate plane is divided into four quadrants by the x- and y-axes.
The point (-1 12, 12) has negative x-coordinate and positive y-coordinate. The quadrant where the x-coordinate is negative and y-coordinate is positive is the second quadrant, or Quadrant II. Therefore, the point is located in Quadrant II.
