On this page, we practice plotting different points on the coordinate plane.

We practice:

• plotting positive coordinates
• plotting negative coordinates
• plotting fractions
• plotting points on the \(x\)-axis
• plotting points on the \(y\)-axis

Remember

A point in \(2D\) is written as:

$$(x,y)$$

Start at the origin \((0,0)\).

First use the \(x\)-coordinate:

• positive \(\longrightarrow\) move right
• negative \(\longrightarrow\) move left

Then use the \(y\)-coordinate:

• positive \(\longrightarrow\) move up
• negative \(\longrightarrow\) move down

Example 1 – Positive Coordinates

Plot the point:

$$P=(3,4)$$

The \(x\)-coordinate is \(3\), so move \(3\) units right.

The \(y\)-coordinate is \(4\), so move \(4\) units up.

So, the point is plotted at:

$$(3,4)$$

Example 2 – Negative \(x\)-Coordinate

Plot the point:

$$P=(-4,2)$$

The \(x\)-coordinate is \(-4\), so move \(4\) units left.

The \(y\)-coordinate is \(2\), so move \(2\) units up.

So, the point is plotted at:

$$(-4,2)$$

Example 3 – Negative \(y\)-Coordinate

Plot the point:

$$P=(4,-2)$$

The \(x\)-coordinate is \(4\), so move \(4\) units right.

The \(y\)-coordinate is \(-2\), so move \(2\) units down.

So, the point is plotted at:

$$(4,-2)$$

Example 4 – Fractional Coordinate

Plot the point:

$$P=\left(-2,-\frac{1}{2}\right)$$

The \(x\)-coordinate is \(-2\), so move \(2\) units left.

The \(y\)-coordinate is \(-\frac{1}{2}\), so move \(\frac{1}{2}\) unit down.

So, the point is plotted at:

$$\left(-2,-\frac{1}{2}\right)$$

Example 5 – Point on the \(x\)-Axis

Plot the point:

$$P=(5,0)$$

The \(x\)-coordinate is \(5\), so move 5 units right.

The \(y\)-coordinate is \(0\), so there is no movement up or down.

Therefore, the point lies on the \(x\)-axis.

So, the point is plotted at:

$$(5,0)$$

Example 6 – Point on the \(y\)-Axis

Plot the point:

$$P=(0,-3)$$

The \(x\)-coordinate is \(0\), so there is no movement right or left.

The \(y\)-coordinate is \(-3\), so move \(3\) units down.

Therefore, the point lies on the \(y\)-axis.

So, the point is plotted at:

$$(0,-3)$$

Practice

• More Examples (Current page)
• Take the Quiz

Continue Learning

1. Plotting Points on the Coordinate Plane (\(2D\))
2. Which Quadrant or Axis? Points on the Coordinate Plane \(2D\)
3. Distance Formula in \(2D\)
4. Distance between Two Points in \(2D\)
5. Distance Formula: Radius and Area of a Circle

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