---
title: "Coordinates (age 10+)"
description: "Describe positions on the full coordinate grid (all four quadrants); use coordinates with negative values"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/coordinates-age-10-mt_R4AY0LKxfl
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/coordinates-age-10-mt_R4AY0LKxfl.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Coordinates (age 10+)

Describe positions on the full coordinate grid (all four quadrants); use coordinates with negative values

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Geometry · Ages 10 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/coordinates-age-10-mt_R4AY0LKxfl

## Ready when they can

- Plot points with negative coordinates such as (−3, 4) and (2, −5) on a four-quadrant grid
- Identify the quadrant in which a given point lies
- Describe the position of a shape using coordinates in all four quadrants

## Lesson: Coordinates on the full grid

You already know how to plot points with an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate, and how cold can fall below zero. Now the grid stretches past zero in every direction, just like the thermometer. The x-axis runs left and right of zero, and the y-axis runs above and below it. A negative x-coordinate means move left. A negative y-coordinate means move down.

*(drawing: Signs show the region: right and up is I, left and up is II, left and down is III, right and down is IV.)*

The two axes split the grid into four quadrants. Quadrant I is up and to the right, where both coordinates are positive. Quadrant II is up and to the left, where x is negative and y is positive. Quadrant III is down and to the left, where both are negative. Quadrant IV is down and to the right, where x is positive and y is negative. A point with a zero in it sits on an axis, not inside any quadrant.

**Example.** To plot (-5, 2), start at the origin. Move 5 left for x = -5, then 2 up for y = 2. That is quadrant II.

**Example.** To plot (2, -5), start at the origin. Move 2 right, then 5 down. That is quadrant IV.

**Tip.** Read each pair in order, x then y. Signs give direction: left or right for x, up or down for y.

**Recap.** Every point has an x-coordinate for left or right and a y-coordinate for up or down, and their signs place the point in one of the four quadrants.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Coordinates (age 8+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/coordinates-age-8-mt_i5_HnoFOYw)
- [Negative Numbers Across Zero](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/negative-numbers-across-zero-mt_RVK655t391)
- [Transformations on a grid](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/transformations-on-a-grid-mt_SH7QgFl8-v)
- [Plotting points in the first quadrant](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/plotting-points-in-the-first-quadrant-mt_snlqRCiA1R)

## Opens up

- [Proportion Graphs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/proportion-graphs-mt_FspV_imUGK)
- [Coordinates (age 11+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/coordinates-age-11-mt_hVpGOEz2kG)
- [Translating and reflecting shapes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/translating-and-reflecting-shapes-mt_lxaM6iVpdr)