In this lesson, we explore how to graph points on a coordinate plane and identify their respective quadrants. Each point is represented by an ordered pair, where the first number corresponds to the x-coordinate and the second number corresponds to the y-coordinate. To graph a point, you start at the origin (0,0) and move along the x-axis either to the right (for positive values) or to the left (for negative values), followed by moving vertically along the y-axis either up (for positive values) or down (for negative values).

For example, to graph the point (1, -2), you would move 1 unit to the right on the x-axis and then 2 units down on the y-axis, placing the point in the fourth quadrant. Similarly, for the point (5, 2), you would move 5 units to the right and 2 units up, locating it in the first quadrant. The point (-3, -4) requires moving 3 units to the left and 4 units down, which places it in the third quadrant. Lastly, the point (-4, 3) involves moving 4 units to the left and 3 units up, positioning it in the second quadrant.

Understanding the quadrants is essential: Quadrant I (top right) contains points where both coordinates are positive, Quadrant II (top left) has a negative x-coordinate and a positive y-coordinate, Quadrant III (bottom left) has both coordinates negative, and Quadrant IV (bottom right) has a positive x-coordinate and a negative y-coordinate. This systematic approach to graphing points and identifying their quadrants is fundamental in coordinate geometry.