What is it
Coordinates describe the exact position of a point on a grid using an (x, y) pair — how far along (x) and how far up (y) from a fixed starting point called the origin.
Why it matters
Coordinates are the language of graphs, maps and later, algebraic functions — a skill a child will use from plotting simple points now right through to plotting quadratic curves at GCSE.
Exam tip
Remember the order with 'along the corridor, then up the stairs' — x always comes before y, and mixing up the order is the single most common coordinates mistake.
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