--- title: "First Quadrant Coordinates" description: "Describe positions on a 2-D grid as coordinates in the first quadrant" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/first-quadrant-coordinates-mt_jBQS-CicNn source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/first-quadrant-coordinates-mt_jBQS-CicNn.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # First Quadrant Coordinates Describe positions on a 2-D grid as coordinates in the first quadrant Subject: Mathematics · Area: Geometry · Ages 8 to 9 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/first-quadrant-coordinates-mt_jBQS-CicNn ## Ready when they can - Read the coordinates of a point on a grid as (3, 5) - Explain that the first number is the horizontal distance and the second is the vertical distance - Identify the coordinates of all vertices of a shape plotted on a grid - Use two coordinates on the same grid line to find a side length or the middle of an edge, such as the bottom side from (1, 1) to (6, 1) ## Lesson: Reading Coordinates on a Grid A grid is a flat space covered in crossing lines that make little squares. You can point to any spot on the grid using just two numbers, so you can tell a friend where treasure hides on a map. Those two numbers are called coordinates: across first, then up. The across number is also called the x-coordinate, and the up number is the y-coordinate. *(drawing: Every spot on this grid can be named with two numbers: how far across, then how far up from the corner.)* **Example.** Ravi is playing a treasure map game. The treasure is 4 steps across and 3 steps up from the corner of the map. Ravi writes this as the coordinates (4, 3): first the across number, then the up number. The corner where counting starts is (0, 0). From (2, 1) to (8, 1), the side length is 8 minus 2 = 6 squares. Halfway between 2 and 8 is 5, giving midpoint (5, 1). For an upright side, subtract the up numbers instead. **Tip.** Always read the numbers in order: across first, then up. If you say them backwards, you can point to the wrong spot. **Recap.** Coordinates name a spot with two numbers: across first, then up. ## Practice 18 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Position, direction, and movement](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/position-direction-and-movement-mt_TdV9YGJEoY) ## Opens up - [Reading Maps: Symbols and Grids](https://lightmysky.com/learn/geography/reading-maps-symbols-and-grids-mt__Xl9qT-B20) - [Pythagoras' Theorem](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/pythagoras-theorem-mt_1VmTUxBrNd) - [Egyptian Timelines and Maps](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/egyptian-timelines-and-maps-mt_C3eNLQJlgt) - [Coordinates (age 8+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/coordinates-age-8-mt_i5_HnoFOYw) - [Reading Distance-Time Graphs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reading-distance-time-graphs-mt_OUv-QXmW7_) - [Transformations on a grid](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/transformations-on-a-grid-mt_SH7QgFl8-v) - [Describing Movements](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/describing-movements-mt_Uq5vYqboCR)