Step by step
The question
Question: which quadrant is (5, −3) in?
(5, −3)
1 Read the signs
The first number is x.
5 is positive.
So the point is right of the y-axis.
x = 5 → +
The second number is y.
−3 is negative.
So the point is below the x-axis.
y = −3 → −
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 5.
Then go down 3.
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 ✗