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🔺 5th grade math · Shapes & Space

Dots on a grid

The x-axis runs across. The y-axis runs up. They meet at the origin, (0, 0). An ordered pair (x, y) says how far across, then how far up. In (4, 7), go right 4, then up 7.

Worked example

Which ordered pair names the origin, where the two axes cross?
Answer: (0, 0)
Yes: the origin is where the axes cross, 0 across and 0 up. Answer: (0, 0).

For grown-ups: Coordinate plane, first quadrant. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 5.G.A.1–2
What this practises, for teachers

Practices coordinate plane, first quadrant (5.G.A.1–2). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

Try three

  1. Which way does the y-axis run?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Up and down (vertical)
    Yes: the x-axis is the horizontal one and the y-axis is the vertical one. Answer: Up and down (vertical).
  2. In the ordered pair (6, 8), which number tells how far to go along the x-axis, left or right?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: The first number, 6
    Yes: the first number is x. It says how far to go left or right. Answer: The first number, 6.
  3. In the ordered pair (8, 7), which number tells how far to go along the x-axis, left or right?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: The first number, 8
    Yes: the first number is x. It says how far to go left or right. Answer: The first number, 8.

Before and after

Learn first: Angles, triangles, symmetry (4th)

Comes next: Shape families (5th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Dots on a grid (5th grade)

  1. To plot the point (6, 9), you start at the origin. Which moves are right?
  2. To plot the point (5, 4), you start at the origin. Which moves are right?
  3. Which way does the y-axis run?
  4. In the ordered pair (3, 5), which number tells how far to go along the x-axis, left or right?
  5. Which way does the y-axis run?
  6. Which point is on the y-axis?
  7. In the ordered pair (4, 2), which number tells how far to go along the x-axis, left or right?
  8. Which way does the y-axis run?
  9. Which ordered pair names the origin, where the two axes cross?
  10. Which point is on the x-axis?
  11. In the ordered pair (7, 2), which number tells how far to go along the x-axis, left or right?
  12. One axis is red and the other is blue. Which line is the x-axis?
    xy−5−4−3−2−112345−5−4−3−2−1123450

Answer key

  1. right 6, then up 9
  2. right 5, then up 4
  3. Up and down (vertical)
  4. The first number, 3
  5. Up and down (vertical)
  6. (0, 5)
  7. The first number, 4
  8. Up and down (vertical)
  9. (0, 0)
  10. (5, 0)
  11. The first number, 7
  12. The red line

More 5th grade skills: all 5th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.