Practice questions on finding coordinates, from the basics up to exam level, each with a full worked solution. Try them on paper first, then open the solution to check your working.
Worked example
Find the coordinates of the point where the line y=−3x−4 crosses the y-axis.
Step 1 of 2
Which coordinate is 0 on the y-axis?
Put x=0 into y=−3x−4.
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Questions
Question 1Where y = mx + c meets an axis
Find the coordinates of the point where the line y=−x+3 crosses the x-axis.
Show the worked solution
Step 1: Which coordinate is 0 on the x-axis?Put y=0 into y=−x+3.
Step 2: Solve, then write the point0=−x+3, so x=3The point is (3,0).
Question 2Where ax + by = c meets an axis
Find the coordinates of the point where the line 4x+5y=10 crosses the x-axis.
Show the worked solution
Step 1: Which coordinate is 0 on the x-axis?Put y=0 into 4x+5y=10.
Step 2: Solve, then write the point4x=10, so x=25The point is (25,0).
Question 3Where two lines meet
Find the coordinates of the point where the lines y=2x−4 and y=−x−1 meet.
Show the worked solution
Step 1: Where they meet, the y-values are equal2x−4=−x−1x=1
Step 2: Substitute back to find yy=−2The lines meet at (1,−2).
Question 4A point on a line
The point (k,6) lies on the line y=−4x−1. Find k.
Show the worked solution
Step 1: Substitute the point into the equation6=−4k−1
Step 2: Solve for kk=−47
Question 5A point from a given area
The points A(1,0) and B(6,0) lie on the x-axis. The point C lies on the line y=−x−4, above the x-axis. The area of triangle ABC is 5 units². Find the coordinates of C.
Show the worked solution
Step 1: The base AB lies along the x-axis: its lengthAB=6−1AB=5
Step 2: Area = ½ × base × height: the height is C's distance from the x-axis21×5×h=5h=52×5h=2
Step 3: C is above the x-axis: its y-coordinatey=2
Step 4: C lies on the line: substitute its y-coordinate2=−x−4x=−6
Step 5: Write the coordinates of CC=(−6,2)
Question 6Area of a triangle from coordinates
The vertices of triangle ABC are A(1,−1), B(1,2) and C(−2,−3). Find the area of triangle ABC.
Show the worked solution
Step 1: AB is parallel to the y-axis: its length is the difference of the y-coordinatesAB=2−(−1)AB=3
Step 2: The height is the distance from C to AB, across: the difference of the x-coordinatesHeight=1−(−2)Height=3
Step 3: Area = ½ × base × heightArea=21×3×3Area=4.5 units2