RECTANGULAR CARTESIAN COORDINATES IN 2 DIMENSIONS
Identify the X-axis and Y-axis
Activity 4.1: Plotting Points
Plot the following points on a graph, (6, 4), (5,9), (11,3), (5,6) and (3, 4).
The 𝑥 number comes first then the 𝑦 number: (𝑥, 𝑦) these numbers are called coordinates.
Exercise
1. Use a graph paper to:
a) Join the points with coordinates (0, 3), (5, 6), and (5,0) to draw a triangle.
b) On the same diagram join the points with coordinates (2, 0), (2, 6) and (7, 3) to draw a second
triangle.
c) Describe the shape you have now drawn.
2. On the same graph paper join these points in order.
a) (4, 6), (5, 7), (6, 6), (4, 6).
b) (5, 8), (4, 8), (4, 7), (5, 8), (6, 8), (6,7), (5, 8).
c) (4, 5), (5, 4), (6, 5), (5, 3), (4, 5).
d) (5, 2), (3, 4), (3, 5), (2, 5), (2, 8), (3, 8), (3, 9), (7, 9), (7, 8), (8, 8), (8, 5), (7, 5), (7, 4), (5, 2)
Negative Co-ordinates
We can also use negative numbers in coordinates. We can bring in coordinate axes with positive and
negative numbers
Exercise
1 (a) Draw a set of axes and mark the points with coordinates
(4, 0), (-4, 0), (0, 4), (0, -4), (1, 2), (1, -2), (3, 3), (3, -3), (2, 1), (2, -1), (-1, 2), (-1, -2), (-3, 3), (-3, -3),(-2, 1),
(-2, -1)
(b) Join the points to form an 8 pointed star
2 (a) On a graph paper, draw the rectangles with corners at the following points with coordinates:
a) (-6, 6), (-5, 6), (-5, 4), (-6, 4)
b) (-2, 1), (-3, 1), (-3, 3), (-2, 3)
c) (3, 1), (3,3), (4, 3), (4, 1)
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Plotting Polygons (shapes)
Names of polygons
Number of sides Name
3 Triangle
4 Quadrilateral
5 Pentagon
6 Hexagon
7 Heptagon
8 Octagon
9 Nonagon
10 Decagon
Note:
In a regular polygon:
(a) all the sides are the same.
(b) all the angles are of the same size.
Activity 4.2: The line AB is one side of a square what are the possible coordinates of the corners of
the square?
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Exercise
1. In each case the coordinates of 3 corners of a square are given. Find the coordinates of the other
corner.
(a) (2, -2), (2, 3) and (-3, 3)
(b) (2, 3), (3, 4) and (1, 4)
2. The coordinates of 3 corners of a rectangle are given below. Find the coordinates of the other corner
of each rectangle.
(a) (-4, 2), (-4, 1) and (6, 1)
(b) (0, 2), (-2, 0) and (4, -6)
3. (a) The coordinates of 2 corners of a square are (-4, 4) and (1, -1). Explain why it is possible to draw
three different squares using these two points.
(b) Draw the three different squares.
(c ) If the coordinates of the corners had been (-5, 1) and (1, 3) would it still be possible to draw 3
squares? Draw the possible squares.
4. Half of a heptagon with one line of symmetry can be drawn by joining the points with coordinates:
(2, 4), (-2, 1), (-2, -1), (0, -3) and (2, -3). Join the coordinates. You have drawn one half of the heptagon.
Complete the heptagon. Write down the coordinates.
Use of Appropriate Scale for Given Data
Activity4.3: Plot the following points on the axes: (5, 50), (10,100), (15,150), (20,200), (35, 350)
Do you realize that on the horizontal axis there are 5 units for each space?
On the vertical axis, there are 50 units for each space. So, what is the scale for the axes?
Exercise
1. For each part, draw a pair of axes with suitable scales and plot the
Points:
(a) (1, 15); (4, 35); (8, 45)
(b) (15, 100); (35, 500); (40, 700)
2. Plot the points (2, 60); (4, 50); (0, 70); (7, 60)
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Situation of Integration
A Senior One learner has reported in her class and has settled at her desk.
Support: The classroom is arranged in rows and columns. It is big a big class with each learner having
his/ her own desk.
Resources: Knowledge of horizontal and vertical lines i.e. rows and columns, coordinates
Knowledge: counting numbers
Task: The mathematics teacher has asked her to explain how she can access her seat, starting from the
entrance of the class. Discuss whether there are other ways of reaching her seat
