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Which quadrant is (4, -5) in

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Quadrants · Algebra 1

Step by step

The question

Question: which quadrant is (4, −5) in?

(4, −5)

1 Read the signs

The first number is x.

4 is positive.

So the point is right of the y-axis.

x = 4 → +

The second number is y.

−5 is negative.

So the point is below the x-axis.

y = −5 → −

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.

= (+, −) → quadrant IV

Careful!

We count against the clock.

Ⅱ is the top left.

Counting the other way swaps Ⅱ and Ⅳ.

Careful: not quadrant II ✗

4 Check

Let's check: plot it.

From 0, go right 4.

Then go down 5.

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.

Answer
Careful: not quadrant II ✗

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Which quadrant is (2, −2)
Show the answer
quadrant IV

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