How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

draw a polygon Using coordinates to

(−2, 4) (2, 4)

(−4, −4) (4, −4)

We carry on joining up the

points until we have made

a shape called a trapezium.

Now we use a pencil and

ruler to join up the first two

points we plotted.

Using coordinates

to draw a polygon

We can draw a polygon on a grid by plotting its

coordinates, then joining the points with straight lines.

We start by plotting these four

coordinates on the grid:

(2, 4); (−2, 4); (−4, −4); (4, −4).

Plotting posers

Can you work out the coordinates

that make the points of this six-

sided shape, called a hexagon?

If you plotted these coordinates

on a grid and joined the points in

order with straight lines, what shape

would you draw?

(1, 0) (0, −2) (−2, −2) (−3, 0) (−1, 2)

Answers on page 320

−6 −5−4 −3−2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

−5−4−3−2−1 0 1 2 3 4 5 −5−4−3−2−1 0 1 2 3 4 5

1

2

3

4

5

6

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6

1

2

3

4

5

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

1

2

3

4

5

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

1

2

3

4

5

−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

x

y

x

y y y

Remember, positive or

negative numbers in

coordinates tell us in which

quadrant we will find a point.

How to plot and draw a polygon on a grid

TRY IT OUT

x x −5−4−3−2−1 0 1 2 3 4 5

250_251_Quadrants_pos_neg_coords.indd 251 29/02/2016 18:05