Coordinate grid with four quadrants (free printable)
A full coordinate plane with both axes numbered, one large grid or four small ones on a page. Choose how far the axes go, and print for plotting points and shapes.
To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.
About this sheet
The coordinate plane is where algebra and geometry meet, and a good grid makes both easier. This one has four quadrants, thick axes with arrowheads, and light grid lines so that points and lines drawn in pencil stand out. The numbers sit on the axes at every step when the squares are large, and every second or fifth step when they are small. Choose the range, from three to twenty, and a single large plane or four smaller ones for quick plots. The origin is marked, and the axes are labeled x and y. Students plot ordered pairs, draw shapes by joining points, graph lines from a table, and reflect a shape across an axis.
Grades: 5 to 10. Best in: October, November, January, February, March.
How to use it
- Set the largest number on each axis and choose one grid or four to a page. Print on letter or A4.
- Teach the ordered pair as across first, then up or down: walk along the x axis, then up the y axis.
- Give a list of points to plot and join, or a table of values to graph, and have students check each other's results.
Five ideas for class
- Plot points to draw a picture, joining them in order. A rocket or a house can be given as a list of ordered pairs and drawn in minutes.
- Plot a shape, then reflect it across the y axis by negating the x values, and compare the coordinates.
- Graph a simple rule from a table, such as y = x + 2, and ask students to describe what the line does.
- Play a game in which a partner guesses where you have hidden a point by asking only for its distance from each axis.
- Use four small grids to plot four different tables at once, then compare the lines side by side.
Related
Questions
What are the quadrants called?
They are numbered counterclockwise from the top right: quadrant I is x and y both positive, II is x negative and y positive, III is both negative and IV is x positive and y negative.
How large can the axes be?
Up to twenty in each direction on a single grid, and up to ten on each of four grids. Larger ranges make the squares small, so use graph paper with a darker line for those.
Is there a first-quadrant only version?
Yes. The first quadrant coordinate grid has only positive numbers and a larger scale, which suits earlier work on the plane.
How do I save it as a PDF?
Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.
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