The x-coordinate represents the horizontal shift, starting from the origin, and the y-coordinate represents the vertical shift.
Label: F Quadrant: I
Practice makes perfect
An ( x, y) ordered pair is plotted on a coordinate plane by finding the x-coordinate on the horizontal axis and the y-coordinate on the vertical axis. Let's take a look at the point we want to graph and label on a coordinate plane.
( 1, 1.5)
To graph this point we should first move 1 unit in the positive horizontal direction starting from the origin. Then we should move 1.5 units in the positive vertical direction. Let's do it!
From the diagram, we see that the point (1,1.5) matches with the label F. To determine the quadrant in which a point lies without graphing, observe the signs of the x- and y-coordinates.
Quadrant
x-coordinate
y-coordinate
Quadrant I
Positive
Positive
Quadrant II
Negative
Positive
Quadrant III
Negative
Negative
Quadrant IV
Positive
Negative
Since both coordinates of the point are positive, (1,1.5) lies in Quadrant I.
Extra
Visualizing Quadrants
To help us visualize each of the different quadrants, let's take a look at the diagram.
Therefore, we are able to determine in which quadrant a point is located only by looking at the signs of coordinates of this point.
