Which quadrant is (2, -1) in

Step by step

The question

Question: which quadrant is (2, −1) in?

1 Read the signs

The first number is x.

2 is positive.

So the point is right of the y-axis.

The second number is y.

−1 is negative.

So the point is below the x-axis.

2 Name the quadrants

Draw the grid.

The two axes cut it into four parts.

Each part is called a quadrant.

3 Find the quadrant

Right and down: (+, −).

That is quadrant Ⅳ.

Careful!

We count against the clock.

Ⅱ is the top left.

Counting the other way swaps Ⅱ and Ⅳ.

4 Check

Let's check: plot it.

From 0, go right 2.

Then go down 1.

Put a dot.

The dot is in quadrant Ⅳ.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: read the signs.

Then: name the quadrants.

Then: find the quadrant.

Last: check.