Step by step
The question
Question: plot (1, −4) and (−2, 2).
The first number is x.
It says left or right.
1 is positive, so we go right.
The second number is y.
It says up or down.
−4 is negative, so we go down.
1 Start at 0
Draw the grid.
The x-axis goes across.
The y-axis goes up and down.
They meet at 0.
That point is called the origin.
Start at 0, where the axes meet.
2 Plot A
A is (1, −4).
From 0, go right 1.
Then go down 4.
Put a dot here.
This is the point (1, −4).
3 Plot B
B is (−2, 2).
From 0, go left 2.
Then go up 2.
Put a dot here.
This is the point (−2, 2).
4 Check
Let's check.
From A, go straight up to the x-axis.
We meet 1.
Go straight across to the y-axis.
We meet −4.
So (1, −4) is right!
From B, go straight down to the x-axis.
We meet −2.
Go straight across to the y-axis.
We meet 2.
So (−2, 2) is right!
Let's look back.
First: start at 0.
Then: plot A.
Then: plot B.
Last: check.