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