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🔺 6th grade math · Shapes & Space

Shapes on a coordinate grid

If two points have the same y-number, they are in the same row, so the segment between them is horizontal. If they have the same x-number, they are in the same column, so the segment is vertical.

Worked example

Points A at (−3, 2) and B at (6, 2) are joined by a line segment. Is it horizontal, vertical or slanted?
xy−6−5−4−3−2−1123456−6−5−4−3−2−11234560AB
Answer: Horizontal
Yes: both points have y = 2, so the line goes straight across. Answer: Horizontal.

For grown-ups: Polygons on the coordinate plane. 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 6.G.A.3
What this practises, for teachers

Practices polygons on the coordinate plane (6.G.A.3). 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. Points A at (6, 3) and B at (2, 3) are joined by a line segment. Is it horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    xy−6−5−4−3−2−1123456−6−5−4−3−2−11234560AB
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Horizontal
    Yes: both points have y = 3, so the line goes straight across. Answer: Horizontal.
  2. Two points are (7, −3) and (7, 1). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Vertical
    Yes: the same x means the points are in the same column, so the line goes straight up and down. Answer: Vertical.
  3. Two points are (4, −1) and (4, −6). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Vertical
    Yes: the same x means the points are in the same column, so the line goes straight up and down. Answer: Vertical.

Before and after

Learn first: Shape families (5th)

Comes next: Angle puzzles and slices (7th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Shapes on a coordinate grid (6th grade)

  1. Points A at (−6, 6) and B at (−2, 6) are joined by a line segment. Is it horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    xy−6−5−4−3−2−1123456−6−5−4−3−2−11234560AB
  2. Points A at (1, 6) and B at (5, 3) are joined by a line segment. Is it horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    xy−6−5−4−3−2−1123456−6−5−4−3−2−11234560AB
  3. Points A at (−5, 2) and B at (−2, 2) are joined by a line segment. Is it horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    xy−6−5−4−3−2−1123456−6−5−4−3−2−11234560AB
  4. Points A at (−6, 1) and B at (6, 1) are joined by a line segment. Is it horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    xy−6−5−4−3−2−1123456−6−5−4−3−2−11234560AB
  5. Points A at (−5, −1) and B at (5, −1) are joined by a line segment. Is it horizontal, vertical or slanted?
    xy−6−5−4−3−2−1123456−6−5−4−3−2−11234560AB
  6. Two points are (2, 7) and (2, −2). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
  7. Two points are (−3, 8) and (−1, 8). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
  8. Two points are (5, −4) and (−7, −4). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
  9. Two points are (−8, 5) and (3, 5). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
  10. Two points are (−5, −7) and (−3, −7). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
  11. Two points are (−9, 2) and (−1, 2). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?
  12. Two points are (8, −2) and (9, −2). Is the line segment between them horizontal, vertical or slanted?

Answer key

  1. Horizontal
  2. Slanted
  3. Horizontal
  4. Horizontal
  5. Horizontal
  6. Vertical
  7. Horizontal
  8. Horizontal
  9. Horizontal
  10. Horizontal
  11. Horizontal
  12. Horizontal

More 6th grade skills: all 6th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.