Solving coordinate word problems
Use the 4 steps: understand, plan, solve, check. Remember the rule for a point (x, y): go across first, then up, always starting from the origin (0, 0).
Worked example
A treasure is 5 steps across and 2 steps up from the start. What are its coordinates? Understand: we need the point. Plan: across is the first number, up is the second. Solve: 5 across and 2 up gives (5, 2). Check: across (5) is written first, up (2) second — correct.
Worked example
Lee's house is at (2, 3) and the shop is at (6, 3). They are on the same up-level. How far apart are they across? Count across: from 2 to 6 is 6 − 2 = 4 steps.
Remember
- First number = across; second number = up.
- To find distance along one line, subtract the two numbers.