Functional Skills: Coordinates

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Functional Skills: Coordinates Revision

Coordinates

We use coordinates to describe the positions of points on a grid in terms of their positions along the x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical).

There are 4 skills that you need to learn.

Make sure you are happy with the following topics before continuing.

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Understanding what topics you need to revise is essential. Our subject knowledge assessment tests your knowledge on key topic areas and suggests what you need to revise. 

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Skill 1: Understanding Coordinate Grids

Points can be plotted and lines can be drawn on a grids similar to that seen.

A grid is made by 2 lines crossing called axes, meeting at a point in the middle called the origin.

The x-axis is the horizontal axis (left to right) and the y-axis is the vertical axis (bottom to top).

Coordinates are described by a pair of coordinates (\textcolor{red}{x}, \, \textcolor{blue}{y}) and represented by a dot or cross. The x coordinate is always written first.

The origin has coordinates (0, 0).

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Skill 2: Reading off Coordinates

You may be asked to find the coordinates of a point on a grid.

 

Example: What are the coordinates of the point A on the grid?

For the x coordinate, go up from A to the x-axis. Read off the number:

\textcolor{red}{2}

For the y coordinate, go across from A to the y-axis. Read off the number:

\textcolor{blue}{-3}

So, the coordinates of A are:

(\textcolor{red}{2} , \, \textcolor{blue}{-3} )

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Skill 3: Plotting Points

You may also be asked to plot points on a grid, if you are given their coordinates.

 

Example: Plot the point (1, \, 3) on the grid.

Move right from the origin to find \textcolor{red}{1} on the x-axis.

Move up from 1 until you are level with \textcolor{blue}{3} on the y-axis.

Mark this position with a dot or a cross, and label it (\textcolor{red}{1}, \, \textcolor{blue}{3}).

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Skill 4: Plotting Lines and 2D Shapes

You can connect points on a grid to make lines or 2D shapes.

e.g. the grid shows a triangle drawn by plotting 3 points and connecting them with straight lines.

We call the triangle ABC after the letters of its corners.

 

Note: You may be given dimensions in a question and have to use these to plot points and create 2D shapes.

FS Level 2AQAEdexcelCity & GuildsNCFEOpen AwardsHighfield Qualifications
FS Level 2AQAEdexcelCity & GuildsNCFEOpen AwardsHighfield Qualifications

Question - How do I improve my chances of passing the level 2 maths exam?

Answer – Subject knowledge assessment. This useful tool identifies the key areas of the exam you will need to work on in order to pass your level 2 exam for the first time. 

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Example: Plotting Lines and 2D Shapes

Using the grid, find the coordinates of C and D such that rectangle ABCD has an area of 15 cm^2.

Key: 1 \text{ square} = 1 \text{ cm}^2

[2 marks]

The distance between A and B is 5 cm.

If the area of the rectangle is 15 cm^2, then the shorter sides must be 15 \div 5 = 3 cm.

Since ABCD is a rectangle, points C and D must be directly below A and B. So, their y-coordinates will be 3 less than A and B.

Therefore, coordinates of point C will be (2,1) and the coordinates of point D will be (-3, 1).

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Functional Skills: Coordinates Example Questions

A is 3 left and 3 down, so A’s coordinates are (-3,-3)

B is 4 right and 1 up, so B’s coordinates are (4,1)

Move left from the origin to find -1 on the x-axis.

Then, move up from -1 until you are level with 2 on the y-axis.

Mark this position on the grid and label the point (-1,2).

The distance between A and B is 4 cm.

ABCD is a square, so all sides must be 4 cm.

Also, C and D must be directly to the right of A and B. So, their x-coordinates will be 4 more than A and B.

Therefore, coordinates of point C will be (2,-1) and the coordinates of point D will be (2,3).

Additional Resources

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Exam Tips Cheat Sheet

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Formula Booklet

FS Level 2

Functional Skills: Coordinates Worksheet and Example Questions

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Coordinates L2

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