Plotting Graphs Review Worksheet — Middle School Math (Grades 6–8)

Instructions

You will need a piece of graph paper, a pencil, and a ruler for this worksheet. Read the instructions for each section carefully. You will be plotting points on a coordinate plane, also known as a Cartesian plane.

Part 1: Plotting Individual Points

First, draw a coordinate plane on your graph paper. Make sure your x-axis (the horizontal line) and your y-axis (the vertical line) each go from at least -10 to 10. Label both axes. Then, plot and label the following points on your graph.

Remember, for a coordinate pair (x, y), the first number tells you how far to move right (positive) or left (negative) from the origin, and the second number tells you how far to move up (positive) or down (negative).

• A = (5, 2)
• B = (-6, 4)
• C = (-1, -7)
• D = (3, -5)
• E = (0, 8)
• F = (-4, 0)
• G = (0, 0)

Part 2: Identifying Location

For each point you plotted in Part 1, write down which quadrant it is in (I, II, III, or IV) or if it lies on an axis (x-axis or y-axis). The quadrants are numbered counter-clockwise starting from the top right.

1. Point A (5, 2): ____________________
2. Point B (-6, 4): ____________________
3. Point C (-1, -7): ____________________
4. Point D (3, -5): ____________________
5. Point E (0, 8): ____________________
6. Point F (-4, 0): ____________________
7. Point G (0, 0): ____________________

Part 3: Plot a Shape

On a new coordinate plane, plot the following points. Connect them with a straight line in the order they are listed. Finally, draw a line connecting the last point back to the first point to complete the shape.

1. Plot Point P at (1, 5)
2. Plot Point Q at (7, 5)
3. Plot Point R at (7, -1)
4. Plot Point S at (1, -1)

What is the name of the geometric shape you drew?

________________________________________

Answer Key

Part 1: Plotting Individual Points

Check your graph to ensure the points are in the correct locations:

• A (5, 2): From the origin, go 5 units to the right and 2 units up.
• B (-6, 4): From the origin, go 6 units to the left and 4 units up.
• C (-1, -7): From the origin, go 1 unit to the left and 7 units down.
• D (3, -5): From the origin, go 3 units to the right and 5 units down.
• E (0, 8): This point is on the y-axis, 8 units up from the origin.
• F (-4, 0): This point is on the x-axis, 4 units to the left of the origin.
• G (0, 0): This point is the origin, where the x-axis and y-axis intersect.

Part 2: Identifying Location

1. Point A (5, 2): Quadrant I
2. Point B (-6, 4): Quadrant II
3. Point C (-1, -7): Quadrant III
4. Point D (3, -5): Quadrant IV
5. Point E (0, 8): y-axis
6. Point F (-4, 0): x-axis
7. Point G (0, 0): Origin (on both axes)

Part 3: Plot a Shape

The shape is a rectangle (or a square, if the grid spacing is the same for both axes, but rectangle is always correct).