Position and Direction

In Key Stage 2 you work with coordinates across all four quadrants (including negative values), and learn how to transform shapes by translating, reflecting, and rotating them.

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Coordinates in the First Quadrant

A coordinate describes a position on a grid using two numbers in brackets.

The first number is the x-coordinate (how far across). The second number is the y-coordinate (how far up).

Memory tip: "Along the corridor, then up the stairs" — x first, then y.

Example: the point (4, 3) is 4 along and 3 up.

The point where the axes cross (0, 0) is called the origin.

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Coordinates in All Four Quadrants

When we extend the x and y axes into negative values, we get four quadrants.

y
|
| Q2      | Q1
-+--------+------- x
| Q3      | Q4
|

• Quadrant 1: x positive, y positive. Example: (3, 5)
• Quadrant 2: x negative, y positive. Example: (-4, 2)
• Quadrant 3: x negative, y negative. Example: (-3, -6)
• Quadrant 4: x positive, y negative. Example: (5, -1)