Cartesian Coordinate Plane Graphing

-Graphing of Ordered Pairs-

You should already understand this concept before beginning this webquest:
Number Line
Practice your knowledge by visiting this site:
Line Jumper
Number Line Arithmetic

PROJECT 1:
CREATE A NUMBER LINE
 using the Excel program by following these directions:
First, make the columns (A through W) more narrow by formatting them to a width of "2." Create a number line that has 10 numbers, positive and negative, by going to View>Toolbars>Drawing> click on AutoShapes> and choosing double-arrowed line. Next, beginning on line "2" and going to the end of the "W" column, drag the "+" tool. Label the tick marks for each number by making a border on the cell walls (highlight B2 & B3 cells and make a left border. Continue along until finished with all the number line).
Does your finished product look like this??

Begin learning about graphing coordinates or ordered pairs by visiting these websites:

Introduction to the Coordinate Plane
Feed Billy Bug game!
Coordinate Plane Overview
Graphing Integers Overview

One of the difficulties of graphing ordered pairs is our previous knowledge of lines of latitude and longitude. We learn in social studies that lines of latitude, similar to the x-axis, run east and west on Earth, which we read by moving up and down (North and South). This is the opposite of reading the coordinate plane because reading a line of latitude involves moving along what would be the y-axis. Visit this site to learn more:

Lines of Latitude and Longitude
Latitude and Longitude Skill Builder-test your knowledge!

Remember that when graphing coordinates, we are showing points on a plane (which is flat), not a 3-dimensional object, such as the Earth. Always begin with the x-axis as the first number of the ordered pair and you'll do great!!

Test your knowledge using the websites below:

Feed Billy Bug game!
Find Hurkle!
Coordinate Plane Quiz
Practice Graphing Ordered Pairs

Now, follow the steps of this Excel program assignment to demonstrate your mastery of graphing coordinates on a plane.

PROJECT 2:

CREATE A COORDINATE PLANE FOR ORDERED PAIRS USING EXCEL

Begin by formatting the column width of  “2” for 20 columns (A-W).
View>Toolbars>Drawing> click on AutoShapes> choose double-arrowed line.
Create a point of origin that has 10 numbers, positive and negative, to form a Cartesian coordinate graph (vertical line between K and L; horizontal line between 10 & 11).
Label the point of origin, x and y axis and the following ordered pairs using a basic shape from the AutoShapes (a circle works best). The AutoShape can be made smaller by dragging one corner of it to the center of the shape. Carry the shape to its coordinates on the plane. Fill the shape with black or another dark color: Use the following coordinates to place the shape at the correct place and write the coordinating letter (A, B, C, etc...) in the nearest cell.
A = (-3, +5)
B = (0, 8)
C = (+6, -5)
D= (+4, +4)
E = (-7, 0)
F = (-5, -7)

Label each Quadrant: I, II, III, and IV.
Create a grid by adding borders to each cell.
Print preview your finished project; print.

Click here to find out how the finished Excel project should look.

PROJECT 3:
CREATE YOUR OWN COORDINATE PLANE
Design another coordinate plane with quadrants.
Label the point of origin, x-axix and y-axis.
Place 3 points in each quadrant.
Label each point with a letter (A, B, C, D, etc...).
Border the cells so there is a grid.
Below each quadrant, name the ordered pair for each point (A= (-3, +4). It is very important to recognize that if you begin writing a statement in a cell, the complete statement must be written within that cell. If you jump from cell to cell with part of a statement ("A" in A22, "=" in B22, etc...), the program will think you are writing formulas and will try to write the formula or will tell you that the formula will not work. Remember to start the formula in one cell and let the information of that cell overlap into the next cell.
Print preview your finished project; print.
Trade your project with someone else to test your coordinate accuracy.

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