Introduction: The coordinate plane is used for plotting and locating points in two dimensions. In more advanced math, it is also used for graphing lines and curves. Imagine the plane as a map. The horizontal x-axis is the street oriented in the west-east direction. The vertical y-axis is the street oriented in the north-south direction. 

If you wanted to find a park on your map, you would need more than just a street. You need an address. Coordinate pairs (or ordered pairs) are the addresses of the coordinate plane. A coordinate pair is written as two numbers inside of parentheses. The first number is the x-coordinate. The x-coordinate tells the distance to travel on the x-axis from the origin. Positive x-coordinate values are right of zero and negative values are left of zero. The second number is the y-coordinate. The y-coordinate tells the distance to travel on the y-axis from the origin. Positive y-coordinate values are above zero and negative values are below zero.

Directions for This Lesson: In this lesson, you will learn about graphing ordered pairs on the coordinate plane. First, try the practice questions to determine what you already know. Then, watch the video lesson to learn more. Finally, try what you learned in the activity and practice sections. 

 

Practice what you have learned by completing the post-lesson worksheet.