Common Mistakes with Coordinate Plane
Learn to avoid the most common errors when plotting and reading coordinates!
Why Mistakes Happen
Learning from Errors
The coordinate plane has specific rules about which number comes first and which direction to move. Most mistakes happen when students switch the x and y values.
Mistake #1: Switching X and Y Coordinates
Wrong Way
Go up 3, right 5
Moving vertically first, then horizontally!
Right Way
Go right 3, up 5
X comes first (horizontal), then Y (vertical)!
Mistake #2: Starting from the Wrong Point
Wrong Way
Starting from a random point
Not starting at the origin (0, 0)!
Right Way
Start at origin (0, 0)
Always start counting from the origin!
Mistake #3: Confusing Axes
Wrong Way
Mixing up which axis is which!
Right Way
Y-axis is vertical (up-down)
X = horizontal, Y = vertical!
Mistake #4: Reading Coordinates Backwards
Wrong Way
Written as (7, 2)
Writing Y before X!
Right Way
Written as (2, 7)
X (horizontal) is always written first!
Practice: Spot the Mistake
Question 1
To plot (6, 2), a student goes up 6 then right 2. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Incorrect! The student switched the order. Go RIGHT 6 first (x), then UP 2 (y).
Question 2
A point is at the intersection of x=4 and y=3. The coordinates are (3, 4). Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Incorrect! X comes first. The correct coordinates are (4, 3).
Question 3
The origin is located at (0, 0). Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Correct! The origin is where both axes meet, at (0, 0).
Question 4
To find a point, start from where you last plotted. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Incorrect! Always start from the origin (0, 0) when plotting points.
Question 5
The x-axis is the vertical line. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Incorrect! The x-axis is HORIZONTAL. The y-axis is vertical.
Question 6
Point (5, 0) is on the x-axis. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Correct! When y = 0, the point is on the x-axis.
Question 7
To plot (0, 4), don't move horizontally at all, just go up 4. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Correct! When x = 0, you stay on the y-axis and just move up (or down).
Question 8
Points (2, 5) and (5, 2) are the same point. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Incorrect! (2, 5) means right 2, up 5. (5, 2) means right 5, up 2. Different points!
Question 9
The first number in an ordered pair tells how far to move horizontally. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Correct! The first number (x-coordinate) tells horizontal movement.
Question 10
In ordered pair (x, y), x is the y-coordinate. Is this correct?
Click to see answer
Incorrect! In (x, y), x is the x-coordinate and y is the y-coordinate.
Key Takeaways
Order Matters
X always comes before Y in ordered pairs
Start at Origin
Always begin at (0, 0)
X = Horizontal
Move right or left first
Y = Vertical
Move up or down second