Reading coordinates with negative axes
27 October 2026
When a grid has negative axes, you may see numbers less than zero on both the x-axis and the y-axis. This means you can move left or down from the centre, not just right or up. Understanding how to read these coordinates helps your child find any point on the grid, even when the numbers are negative.
Find the point with coordinates (-3, -2) on the grid.
Look at the first number, -3. This means move 3 spaces to the left from zero on the x-axis.
Look at the second number, -2. This means move 2 spaces down from zero on the y-axis.
The point is where these two moves meet on the grid.
The answer is (-3, -2).
Now your child can spot points on a grid, even if the numbers are below zero. This skill is useful for all sorts of maths questions, and the next worksheet will give them more practice with negative coordinates.
