Section 1
Graphing Polygons on the Coordinate Plane
Property
A geometric shape can be drawn on a coordinate plane by plotting its corners, called vertices. Each vertex is an ordered pair (x, y). Once plotted, you connect the vertices with straight line segments to form the polygon.
Examples
- Plot the vertices A(2, 1), B(7, 1), and C(4, 5). Connect the points in order from A to B to C and back to A to form a triangle.
- Plot the vertices for a rectangle: P(1, 2), Q(8, 2), R(8, 5), and S(1, 5). To plot P(1, 2), start at the origin (0,0), move right 1 on the x-axis, and up 2 on the y-axis.
Explanation
Become a shape detective! The coordinate plane is just a grid that acts like a map. Each ordered pair (x, y) gives you exact walking directions to a corner of your shape. Always remember to "walk into the elevator" (move horizontally for x) before you "go up or down" (move vertically for y).