Coordinates on a grid — Mathematics, 7–10 years
A pair of coordinates tells exactly where a point is by giving its across position and its up position.
A map made of numbers
A grid is like a map with numbered steps. To name a point, give its horizontal position first, then its vertical position, such as (3,2): three steps across and two steps up from the start.
Why use coordinates?
Words such as near the tree or a little left are not exact enough for maps, games, or plans. Coordinates give a short, shared address for a point, so another person can find it without seeing your drawing.
Plot (4,3)
Start at (0,0), the place where the two starting lines meet. Move four squares to the right because the first number is 4. Then move three squares up because the second number is 3. The meeting point is (4,3).
The order matters
A common mistake is to read (3,5) as five steps across and three up. That feels reasonable because both numbers are just labels, but coordinates have an agreed order: across first, then up. Swapping them usually lands somewhere else.
Maps, games, and design
Street maps, treasure hunts, board games, and computer pictures use grid positions to share exact locations. A game can tell a character to move to (6,4), while a designer can place an icon at the same address every time.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…