Which quadrants are (2, -4) and (-1, 3) in Step by Step

Step by step

The question

Question: which quadrants are A (2, −4) and B (−1, 3) in?

A (2, −4) B (−1, 3)

1 Read the signs

The first number is x.

The second is y.

We only need their signs.

x first, y second

A is (2, −4): x is positive, y is negative.

A: +, −

B is (−1, 3): x is negative, y is positive.

B: −, +

2 Name the quadrants

Draw the grid.

The two axes cut it into four parts.

Each part is called a quadrant.

3 Find the quadrants

A: right and down: (+, −).

That is quadrant Ⅳ.

= A (+, −) → quadrant IV

B: left and up: (−, +).

That is quadrant Ⅱ.

= B (−, +) → quadrant II

So: A in quadrant Ⅳ and B in quadrant Ⅱ.

= A: IV, B: II

Careful!

We count against the clock.

Ⅱ is the top left.

Counting the other way swaps Ⅱ and Ⅳ.

Careful: not A: II ✗

4 Check

Let's check: plot them.

A: right 2, down 4.

It is in quadrant Ⅳ.

B: left 1, up 3.

It is in quadrant Ⅱ.

Every dot is where we said.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: read the signs.

Then: name the quadrants.

Then: find the quadrants.

Last: check.

Answer