Mathwright

Coordinates & the four quadrants

Coordinate Treasure Map

The starting point for all coordinate geometry, matched to IGCSE 0580 C3.1 (coordinates) and C7.1 (reflections) and GCSE A8 and G7. Students read and plot points in all four quadrants, find missing coordinates and reflect points in the axes and in lines such as x = 7, the way exam papers ask it.

  • GCSE Foundation
  • IGCSE Core
  • Ages 11–14
▶ Play free

What students practise

  • Reading and writing coordinates (x first, then y)
  • Plotting points by tapping or dragging on the map
  • Quadrants, axes and the origin
  • Horizontal and vertical distance
  • Missing coordinates
  • Reflections in the axes and in lines such as x = 3 or y = −2
  • Multi-step routes
  • Spot the mistake

How it works

Learn first

An 8-step walkthrough for students new to coordinates.

Three levels

Beginner, Intermediate and Challenge, with 10, 15 or 20 questions.

First-attempt scoring

The score counts questions solved correctly first time.

For teachers

Use Settings on the start screen to choose the number of questions, the grid size, attempts and question types. Nothing is uploaded: progress stays in each student's browser, so no accounts or data-protection paperwork are needed.

Which exams it covers

Coordinates underpin every graph and geometry topic. This game covers the Foundation and Core content, and makes a quick warm-up for Higher and Extended students too.

TopicGCSE (AQA, Edexcel)Cambridge IGCSE 0580
Reading and plotting coordinates in all four quadrantsA8C3.1 / E3.1
Quadrants, axes and the originA8C3.1 / E3.1
Horizontal and vertical distance between pointsG11C3.1 / E3.1
Missing coordinates (e.g. the fourth corner of a rectangle)G11C3.1 / E3.1
Reflection in the axes and in lines x = a and y = bG7C7.1 / E7.1

Worked examples

Four examples of the question types in the game, from Beginner to Challenge level.

Write coordinates · Beginner

Point A is 3 squares left of the origin and 5 squares up. What are its coordinates, and which quadrant is it in?

  1. Left means a negative x-coordinate: x = −3
  2. Up means a positive y-coordinate: y = 5
  3. x is written first, then y

Answer: (−3, 5), in the top-left quadrant

Horizontal distance · Intermediate

Find the distance between (−4, 2) and (3, 2).

  1. Both points have y = 2, so the line between them is horizontal
  2. Distance = 3 − (−4) = 3 + 4
  3. Count the squares to check: 4 to the origin, then 3 more

Answer: 7 units

Reflection · Challenge

The point P(4, −3) is reflected in the line x = 1. Write down the coordinates of its image.

  1. P is 3 units to the right of the line x = 1
  2. Go 3 units to the left of the line: x = 1 − 3 = −2
  3. The y-coordinate does not change

Answer: (−2, −3)

Missing coordinate · Challenge

A(−2, 1), B(4, 1) and C(4, −3) are three corners of a rectangle. Find the fourth corner, D.

  1. D is below A, so it has the same x-coordinate as A: x = −2
  2. D is level with C, so it has the same y-coordinate as C: y = −3

Answer: D(−2, −3)

Common mistakes the game targets

  • Swapping x and y. The x-coordinate (across) always comes first: “along the corridor, then up the stairs”.
  • Losing a minus sign. Points left of the y-axis have negative x; points below the x-axis have negative y.
  • Subtracting across the origin. From −4 to 3 is 7 units, not 1: count to zero, then keep going.
  • Reflecting in the wrong axis. A reflection in the y-axis changes the x-coordinate, and a reflection in the x-axis changes the y-coordinate.
  • Counting squares instead of grid lines. Coordinates sit where grid lines cross, not in the middle of squares.

Questions teachers and parents ask

Is the game free?

Yes. It is free to use, with no account, no adverts and no tracking. Nothing students type is sent anywhere.

Which students is it for?

Students aged about 11 to 14, and GCSE Foundation and IGCSE Core students revising coordinates. Beginner level stays in the first quadrant.

Can I change the questions?

Yes. Choose 10, 15 or 20 questions, the grid size, the number of attempts and which question types appear. Hints on wrong answers can be switched on or off.

Does it work on tablets and phones?

Yes. Students drag on the map to place points, or type the coordinates instead. It also works well on a classroom board.

Can students print their results?

Yes. The results screen shows a skill-by-skill breakdown, a review of mistakes and a Print Results button.

Need worksheets and lessons to go with the games?

Printable IGCSE and GCSE resources from Mathwright: worksheets, exam-style practice and full worked solutions.

Browse resources

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  • GCSE Foundation
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