DfE statement A8 · Algebra

Coordinates in all four quadrants

Both tiersNon-calculator

Coordinates in all four quadrants is content statement A8 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the algebra area. It is on both tiers, and it is examined without a calculator. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 3 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.

What the specification says

The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Work with coordinates in all four quadrants." (statement A8). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
— Department for Education, Mathematics: GCSE subject content and assessment objectives, statement A8

Tier

Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.

Calculator

This is non-calculator territory. Questions on it belong naturally on Paper 1, where written method is all you have — so practise it that way rather than with a calculator to hand.

Common mistakes

Plotting (y, x) instead of (x, y) — across before up, every time.
Losing a minus sign and plotting (−3, 4) in the fourth quadrant instead of the second.
Counting grid lines rather than squares when reading a coordinate off a diagram.

Sample questions (10 of 30)

A8 · Coordinates in all four quadrantsQuestion 1 of 10 · 0 correct

Practice mode· no pressure · hints available

Algebra

Intermediate

A park is drawn on a grid in which 1 unit represents 1 km. The car park is at the point (0, 0) and the lake is at the point (3, 5). Work out the direct distance, in km, from the car park to the lake, giving your answer to 1 decimal place.

💡 Hints:

Foundation worksheet Higher worksheet Foundation algebra practice Higher algebra practice

Nearby statements

A6Identities, equivalence and algebraic proofpart Higher A7Functions, inverse and composite functionspart Higher A9Straight-line graphs and y = mx + cpart Higher A10Gradients and intercepts of linear functions

Questions people ask

Is coordinates in all four quadrants on Foundation or Higher?

Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.

Can I use a calculator for coordinates in all four quadrants?

Not on Paper 1, which is where this normally appears. Paper 1 is non-calculator for both tiers and carries the same 80 marks as each of the other two papers.

What is the single most common mistake here?

Plotting (y, x) instead of (x, y) — across before up, every time.

Are these past paper questions?

No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.

Back to Algebra at Foundation or at Higher.