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Mathematics
Quarter 1, Week 5 – Module 5.1
Illustrating the Rectangular
Coordinate System and its Uses
– M8AL-Ie-1
Mathematics – Grade 8
Quarter 1 – Module 5.1: Illustrating the Rectangular Coordinate System and its Uses

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: ROWENA B. BENOYO

Editors: NERISSA A. MORTEGA

EFLEDA C. DOLZ
HILDA J. CARLET
DIOLETA B. BORAIS

Reviewer: LILLI ANN HERMOGENES

Illustrator/ Layout Artist: MARISOL B. BOSEO

 GRADE 8 (QUARTER 1)
MODULE 5.1
Illustrating the Rectangular Coordinate System and its Uses

I. Introduction:

This module contains discussions on what a Rectangular Coordinate

System is. It also includes activities on how to plot and identify a given
point. You will surely appreciate this module because it contains activities
that apply to real life situations.

II. Objective:

At the end of this lesson, you must be able to illustrate the rectangular
coordinate system and its uses.

III. Vocabulary List:

Let’s start by knowing the key words that will make you understand on
how to illustrate Rectangular Coordinate System.

• Abscissa - 𝑥 –coordinate, the first number in an ordered pair

representing the distance from a point to the vertical or 𝑦 -
axis measured parallel to the horizontal or 𝑥 – axis.
• Coordinates of a point – the real number paired with a point in a plane
or the unique ordered pair of numbers designating a point.
• number line – a horizontal or vertical line that extends in both direction
with numbers placed at equal interval
• ordered pair – a pair of numbers having a significant order. It is a
representation of a point in the form of (𝑥 , 𝑦)
• Ordinate - 𝑦-coordinate, the second number in an ordered
pair representing the distance from a point to the
horizontal or 𝑥- axis measured parallel to the
vertical or 𝑦 – axis.
• origin - the point at which the x axis and the y axis intersect.
• perpendicular number lines – two number lines that intersect and
form right angles
• plotting the point - is the process of locating a point in the
rectangular coordinate system or Cartesian
coordinate system
• quadrants - the regions into which a rectangular coordinate system is
divided by its axes.

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 • Rectangular Coordinate System or Cartesian Coordinate
System – a system consisting of two real number lines drawn
perpendicular to each other, intersecting at the zero of both
number lines.
• 𝒙 – axis - the horizontal number line in the rectangular coordinate
system.
• 𝒚 – axis - the vertical number line in the rectangular coordinate
system

IV. Pre-Test:

Find out on how much you already know about this module. Write the
letter that corresponds to the best answer on your answer sheet.

1. A system consisting of two real number lines drawn perpendicular to

each other, intersecting at the zero of both number lines.
a. Rectangular Coordinate System
b. Quadrants
c. Ordered pairs
d. Plotting points

2. Which of the following is true about the

points in figure on the right?
a. J is located in Quadrant III.
b. C is located in Quadrant II.
c. B is located in Quadrant IV.
d. G is located in Quadrant III.

3. On what quadrant is (2, −3) located?

a. I b. II c. III d. IV
4. What is the coordinates of the origin?
a. (0,0) b. (1,1) c. (2,2) d. (3,3)

5. What do you call the horizontal number line in a coordinate plane?

a. 𝑦-axis b. abscissa c. ordinate d. 𝑥-axis

How was your performance in the pre-

test? Were you able to answer all the problems?
Did you find difficulties in answering them?

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V. Learning Activities:

Are you having trouble in finding things in your house?

the by studying the Rectangular
This question will be answered
Coordinate System.

The French Mathematician René

Descartes (1596-1650), who is known as the
“Father of Modern Mathematics” , developed
a system on how you will determine the location
of a place, a person or an object in a plane by
representing them with an ordered pair of
numbers (x , y). This system is called the
Cartesian Coordinate System or also known
as Rectangular Coordinate System.

The Cartesian Plane (Rectangular Coordinate system) is

formed by two perpendicular number lines that meet at the point of
origin (0,0) and divide the plane into four regions called quadrants. The
horizontal number line is called the x-axis and the vertical number
line is called the y-axis.

• It is composed of infinitely many points.

• Each point in the coordinate system is defined by an ordered pair
of the form (𝑥 , 𝑦) where 𝑥 and 𝑦 are real numbers. This pair of
numbers is called coordinates of a point. The coordinates of a
point determine the location of a point in the Cartesian coordinate
plane by indicating its distances from the axes.

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• The distance from the 𝑦-axis is called the abscissa or the 𝒙-
coordinate and that is the first number in an ordered pair, while
the distance from the 𝑥-axis is called the ordinate or the 𝒚-
coordinate and the second number in an ordered pair.

Learning Situation No.1

A treasure map is shown in the coordinate
plane. Identify the things that are found in each quadrant. In what
quadrant can the treasure be found?

The treasure can be found on Quadrant II.

Is your answer correct?

If yes, then you are leading to the right track.

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 Learning Situation No.2
Suppose your mother sent you on an errand to get her
bag in her bedroom. (And) It is located at point P with coordinate
(2,3). Where can you find the bag?
P denotes the position of the bag relative to the origin as shown:

The figure illustrates P (2,3) in the coordinate plane. The

abscissa is 2 and the ordinate is 3. This tells you that point P is 2
units from the 𝑦-axis and 3 units from the 𝑥-axis.

Did you find your mom’s bag? On what point can you find your mom’s
bag?
You’re right! Learn some more!

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 The signs of the first and second coordinates of a
point vary in the four quadrants as indicated below:

Quadrant abscissa ordinate signs

I 𝑥˃0, or 𝑥 is positive 𝑦˃0, or 𝑦 is positive (+ , +)
II 𝑥 < 0, or 𝑥 is negative 𝑦˃0, or 𝑦 is positive (− , +)
III 𝑥 < 0, or 𝑥 is negative 𝑦 < 0,or 𝑦 is negative (− , −)
IV 𝑥˃0, or 𝑥 is negative 𝑦 < 0,or 𝑦 is negative (+ , −)

• There are also points which lie in the 𝑥 and 𝑦 axes. The points which
lie in the 𝑥-axis have a coordinate (𝑥, 0) and the points which lie in the
𝑦-axis have coordinates (0, 𝑦) where 𝑥 and 𝑦 are real numbers.

Learning Situation No.3

You want to plant vegetable on a certain location where your

father recommends you to plant it by following his directions:

Plant at 𝐴 (5,3)

1. Locate 5 in the 𝑥-axis. Draw an imaginary line parallel to the 𝑦-axis.

2. Locate 3 in the 𝑦-axis. Draw an imaginary line parallel to the 𝑥-axis.
3. Mark the intersection of the two imaginary lines with a dot.
4. Label the point 𝐴.

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 If your answer is like this, then you are correct! I’m sure your
plant will grow healthy because you followed your father’s
directions.

• Plotting of points:

To plot a point is for you to locate the position of a coordinate in the

Cartesian plane.

Follow these steps in plotting points:

a. Locate the 𝑥-coordinate along the 𝑥-axis. Draw an imaginary
line parallel to the 𝑦-axis.
b. Locate the 𝑦-coordinate along the 𝑦-axis. Draw an imaginary
line parallel to the 𝑥-axis.
c. Mark the intersection of the two imaginary lines with a dot.
d. Label the dot or point using a capital letter.

You may omit the imaginary lines when your skills in plotting of
points have been developed.

Got to move on to answer the practice tasks I’ve prepared for you

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 VI. Practice Exercise

Practice Task 1:
Suppose Wayne and Waren belong to a class with the following
seating arrangement.

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
R5

R4

R3 Waren

R2 Wayne

R1

Teacher’s Table

Questions:
1. Using ordered pairs, how do you describe Waren’s seat? How about
Wayne’s seat?
2. Using ordered pairs how do you locate the seat of any classmate of
Waren and Wayne?
3. Can you make a set of ordered pairs? If yes, state so.

Practice Task 2:
Description: This activity will enable you to give the coordinates of the point
where the object is located.

Direction: Describe the location of each point below by completing

the following table. An example is done for you

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 Practice Task 3:

Can you give the points that correspond to the given coordinates?
Write the letters at the space below to spell an important value a
person must possess.

1. (2 , 1)
2. (−5 , 4)
3. (−3 , −4)
4. (1 , −2)
5. (3 , 3)
6. (4 , −3)
7. (−4 , 1)

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 VII. POST TEST:

A. On one coordinate plane. Plot the points and give the

quadrants/axes.

1. P (5 , 2) 4. I (3 , −5)
2. R (−3 , 4) 5. S (0 , 4)
3. A (−4 , −6) 6. E (2 , 0)

B. Give the coordinates, abscissa and ordinate of the following points.

1. P
2. L
3. A
4. N
5. E

VIII. Assignment:

Description: This activity will give you some ideas on how

Cartesian plane is used in drawing objects.
Directions: Using a graphing paper, draw a Cartesian Coordinate
Plane and plot the points given below. Connect the
points with lines to reveal it.

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 ANSWER KEY:
PRE –TEST:
1. a
2. d
3. d
4. a
5. d
PRACTICE TASK 1:
1. Waren’s seat is at the intersection of Column 2 and Row 3.
Wayne’s seat is at the intersection of Column 4 and Row 2. We
can write (2,3) and (4,2), respectively, if we take the column as the
x-axis and the row as the y- axis.
2. We locate the seat of Waren’s and Wayne’s classmates by using
column and row.
3. Here is the set of ordered pairs:

object coordinates Quadrant/axis

Example: ball (4,2) I

1. spoon (6, −5) IV

2. television (−5, 6) II
PRACTICE
TASK 2: 3. laptop (2, −4) IV

4. bag (−4, −3) III

5. pillow (1,5) I
1
6. camera (−1, ) II
2
7. table (−2,2) II

PRACTICE TASK 3:

H O N E S T Y

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POST TEST:
A.

1. P (5,2) , Quadrant I
2. R (−3,4), Quadrant II
3. A (−4, −6), Quadrant III
4. I (3, −5) , Quadrant IV
5. S (0, 4) , y- axis
6. E (2,0) , x - axis

B.

Coordinates Abscissa Ordinate

1. (1,3) 1 3
2. (−2, −1) −2 −1
3. (4,2) 4 2
4. (−3,2) −3 2
5. (3, −3) 3 −3

ASSIGNMENT:

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References:

• Mathematics Learners Material for OHSP , pp. 64-73

• Distance Learning Module Mathematics I (Unit 6 –Linear Equations
and Inequalities), pp. 3-7
• Mathematics 8 Learner’s Module, pp 119-136
• Geometry Textbook for Third Year, pp 215-217
• Elementary Algebra Textbook for First Year, pp 147-150
• Grade 8 Mathematics Teacher’s Guide, pp 141-152
• Daily Lesson Plan , pp 118-124

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