Use a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the plane located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel from the origin in the direction of one axis, and the second number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond (e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate).
Official wording from the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (Β© 2010 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers). View on thecorestandards.org
A coordinate system is built from two perpendicular number lines called axes. They cross at their zeros, at a point called the origin. Any point on the plane can then be described by an ordered pair of numbers: the first tells how far to travel from the origin along the horizontal x-axis, and the second how far to travel in the direction of the vertical y-axis. The point (4, 2) is reached by going 4 units right and then 2 units up.
The word ordered matters. (4, 2) and (2, 4) are different points, and the convention that the first number is the x-coordinate is shared by everyone who reads a graph. Students learn the matching names: x-axis with x-coordinate and y-axis with y-coordinate. Fifth grade work stays in the first quadrant, where both coordinates are zero or positive. The coordinate plane gives students a precise language for location, which they will use to graph the patterns from 5.OA.B.3, plot real data and, in later grades, graph equations and functions.
Going up first and then across puts (2, 5) at (5, 2). A phrase such as 'walk along the hall, then climb the stairs' helps students remember the order.
Students sometimes treat the first grid line as 1. The origin is at 0 on both axes, so counting starts there.
Points belong on the intersections of grid lines, not in the squares between them.
The origin is where both axes are at 0, so its ordered pair is (0, 0).
Plot A(3, 6) and B(3, 1). Describe how to reach each point from the origin and find the distance between them.
Answer: A is 3 right and 6 up; B is 3 right and 1 up; they are 5 units apart.
Make a large coordinate grid on the floor with tape and let students physically walk to points. Games such as hidden treasure, where one student gives coordinates and another plots, reinforce the order of the numbers.
Assessment items show a grid and ask for the coordinates of a point, ask students to identify the axis or origin, or ask which ordered pair matches a described movement.
Original questions written for this standard. Choose an option or type your answer, then press Check. Every question has a worked explanation.
Answer: A) (0, 0)
The origin is where both number lines are at 0, so it is (0, 0).
Answer: D) 5 right, then 2 up
The first number is the x-coordinate (move right along the x-axis) and the second is the y-coordinate (move up).
Answer: 4 (also accepted: 4 units)
They share x-coordinate 2, so subtract the y-coordinates: 7 - 3 = 4 units.
Answer: 0
It has not moved up at all, so its y-coordinate is 0. The point is (6, 0), on the x-axis.
Answer: A) They are different points
Order matters: (4, 1) is 4 right and 1 up, while (1, 4) is 1 right and 4 up.
Answer: 7 (also accepted: 7 units)
They share y-coordinate 5, so subtract the x-coordinates: 8 - 1 = 7 units.
A full lesson with slides, activities and an exit ticket on the coordinate plane, pitched to grade 5 and editable in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Make a lesson βA printable, differentiated worksheet on 5.G.A.1 with an answer key, ready in about a minute.
Make a worksheet βTurn the coordinate plane into a quiz students answer online that marks itself, with a class summary for you.
Build a test βNo. 5.G.A.1 and 5.G.A.2 stay in the first quadrant. All four quadrants are introduced in sixth grade (6.NS.C.6).
Because the order of the two numbers matters: the first is always the x-coordinate and the second the y-coordinate.