In an ordered pair, the x-coordinate comes first and the y-coordinate comes second.
Practice makes perfect
In an ( x, y) ordered pair, the first number shows the x-coordinate and the second number shows the y-coordinate.
x-coordinate
To graph ( 3, - 3), we first find 3 on the x-axis and make a mental note with a grid line. The x-coordinate 3 tells us to move three units to the right on the x-axis.
y-coordinate
Next, we find - 3 on the y-axis and make a mental note with another grid line and follow that line until it collides with the grid line from our x-coordinate. The y-coordinate - 3 tells us to move three units down on the y-axis.
The point ( 3, - 3) lies on the point at which these two grid lines intersect.
