Year 4: Maps and compass directions
Part of the Year 4 coordinates and translation chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page · Download worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF)
Maps and compass directions
A map is often drawn on a grid of squares. The columns have letters along the bottom. The rows have numbers up the side. A grid reference names a square. We say the letter first, then the number, like F5. It is just like “along first, then up”, but this time it names a whole square, not a point where lines cross.
To say which way to go, we use the compass points. North (N) is usually at the top of the map. East (E) is on the right. South (S) is at the bottom. West (W) is on the left. In between are north-east (NE), south-east (SE), south-west (SW) and north-west (NW). A tip for the order going clockwise: “Never Eat Shredded Wheat”.
To find the direction from one place to another, count the squares across (east or west) and the squares up or down (north or south). If you go across and up by the same number of squares, you are going in between, like north-east. A quarter turn clockwise from north is east. A half turn (two quarter turns) from north is south, so south is the opposite of north.
Key ideas
- A grid reference is the letter first, then the number: C4. Letters go along the bottom. Numbers go up the side.
- The compass points are N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW. North is at the top of the map.
- To find a direction, count squares across (E or W) and up or down (N or S).
- A quarter turn moves 2 compass points. A half turn moves 4 points and gives the opposite direction.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Look down to the letter along the bottom. Look across to the number up the side. Write the letter first, then the number.
- Find the place on the map. Look for the castle.The castle is in the square that is highlighted.
- Read the letter. The letters are along the bottom of the map. Look straight down from the square. The letter comes first.Letter = F
- Read the number. The numbers are up the side of the map. Look straight across from the square.Number = 5
- Write the grid reference. Letter first, then number, with no space or comma.F5
Check. Start at F along the bottom and go up to row 5: you reach the castle. ✓
Watch out. The letter comes first. E3 is not the same as 3E.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Find the letter along the bottom and go up to the number. Look at what is in that square.
- Split the grid reference C2. The letter says which column. The number says which row.Letter = C (column 3), number = 2 (row 2)
- Find the column. Go to column C along the bottom of the map.Column C
- Go up to the row. Go up column C until you reach row 2.This is the square that is highlighted.
- Say what is there. In C2 there is a bridge.
Check. The bridge is in C2. ✓
Watch out. Letter first, then number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. North is at the top of the map. Count how many squares you go across and how many up or down. Then choose the compass point.
- Find the two places. Start at the lake. We want to know which way to go to reach the bridge.The lake: E4. The bridge: C2.
- Count the squares. Count across (east or west). Count up or down (north or south). North is at the top of the map.2 squares west and 2 squares south
- Say the direction. It goes across and up or down by the same number of squares, so the direction is in between two main directions: south-west.The bridge is south-west (SW) of the lake.
Check. Go the other way from the bridge and you are going north-east, back to the lake. ✓
Watch out. Check which way North is. It is at the top of the map, unless the map says something different.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. North is at the top of the map. Count how many squares you go across and how many up or down. Then choose the compass point.
- Find the two places. Start at the cave. We want to know which way to go to reach the castle.The cave: F2. The castle: F5.
- Count the squares. Count across (east or west). Count up or down (north or south). North is at the top of the map.3 squares north
- Say the direction. It only goes north or south, so the direction is north.The castle is north (N) of the cave.
Check. Go the other way from the castle and you are going south, back to the cave. ✓
Watch out. Check which way North is. It is at the top of the map, unless the map says something different.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. The opposite direction is a half turn away, which is two quarter turns.
- Think about a half turn. The opposite direction is a half turn away. That is two quarter turns.Start: north-east (NE)
- Turn two quarter turns. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.NE → SE → SW
- Write the answer. The opposite of north-east is south-west (SW).
Check. NE and SW are on opposite sides of the compass. ✓
Watch out. North-east is opposite south-west, not south-east.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. A quarter turn is a right angle. On the compass a quarter turn moves two points (for example North to East). Turn one quarter at a time.
- Remember what a turn is. A quarter turn is a right angle. It moves two places along the compass, for example N to E. A half turn moves four places.Clockwise goes N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- Turn a quarter turn clockwise. 1 quarter turn clockwise. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.Start: north-east (NE)
NE → SE - Write the answer. You are now facing south-east (SE).
Check. Turning back the other way, a quarter turn anticlockwise from SE gives NE. ✓
Watch out. Clockwise is the way the hands of a clock go. Anticlockwise is the other way.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Start at the place. Follow each direction in turn, counting squares. Write down the grid reference after each leg.
- Find the start. Begin at the boat.The boat is in D1.
- Go 2 squares east. North is up the map, south is down, east is to the right and west is to the left.D1 → F1
- Go 1 square north. North is up the map, south is down, east is to the right and west is to the left.F1 → F2
- Look at the square you are in. You are at F2. You have reached the cave.
Check. The route ends in F2, where the cave is. ✓
Watch out. Take one direction at a time. East and west change the letter. North and south change the number.
Watch out
Letter first, then number. C2 means column C, row 2. Do not write 2C. Also remember that north is up the page. If you walk down the map you are going south, not north. And a map square is a whole square, not a point: the castle is in F5, not at (6, 5).Exercise 10F Maps, grid references and compass points
Non-calculatorKey words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Look down to the letter along the bottom. Look across to the number up the side. Write the letter first, then the number.
- Find the place on the map. Look for the school.The school is in the square that is highlighted.
- Read the letter. The letters are along the bottom of the map. Look straight down from the square. The letter comes first.Letter = B
- Read the number. The numbers are up the side of the map. Look straight across from the square.Number = 5
- Write the grid reference. Letter first, then number, with no space or comma.B5
Check. Start at B along the bottom and go up to row 5: you reach the school. ✓
Watch out. The letter comes first. E3 is not the same as 3E.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Look down to the letter along the bottom. Look across to the number up the side. Write the letter first, then the number.
- Find the place on the map. Look for the lake.The lake is in the square that is highlighted.
- Read the letter. The letters are along the bottom of the map. Look straight down from the square. The letter comes first.Letter = F
- Read the number. The numbers are up the side of the map. Look straight across from the square.Number = 2
- Write the grid reference. Letter first, then number, with no space or comma.F2
Check. Start at F along the bottom and go up to row 2: you reach the lake. ✓
Watch out. The letter comes first. E3 is not the same as 3E.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Look down to the letter along the bottom. Look across to the number up the side. Write the letter first, then the number.
- Find the place on the map. Look for the farm.The farm is in the square that is highlighted.
- Read the letter. The letters are along the bottom of the map. Look straight down from the square. The letter comes first.Letter = A
- Read the number. The numbers are up the side of the map. Look straight across from the square.Number = 1
- Write the grid reference. Letter first, then number, with no space or comma.A1
Check. Start at A along the bottom and go up to row 1: you reach the farm. ✓
Watch out. The letter comes first. E3 is not the same as 3E.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Look down to the letter along the bottom. Look across to the number up the side. Write the letter first, then the number.
- Find the place on the map. Look for the castle.The castle is in the square that is highlighted.
- Read the letter. The letters are along the bottom of the map. Look straight down from the square. The letter comes first.Letter = E
- Read the number. The numbers are up the side of the map. Look straight across from the square.Number = 5
- Write the grid reference. Letter first, then number, with no space or comma.E5
Check. Start at E along the bottom and go up to row 5: you reach the castle. ✓
Watch out. The letter comes first. E3 is not the same as 3E.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Find the letter along the bottom and go up to the number. Look at what is in that square.
- Split the grid reference E4. The letter says which column. The number says which row.Letter = E (column 5), number = 4 (row 4)
- Find the column. Go to column E along the bottom of the map.Column E
- Go up to the row. Go up column E until you reach row 4.This is the square that is highlighted.
- Say what is there. In E4 there is a shop.
Check. The shop is in E4. ✓
Watch out. Letter first, then number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Find the letter along the bottom and go up to the number. Look at what is in that square.
- Split the grid reference C3. The letter says which column. The number says which row.Letter = C (column 3), number = 3 (row 3)
- Find the column. Go to column C along the bottom of the map.Column C
- Go up to the row. Go up column C until you reach row 3.This is the square that is highlighted.
- Say what is there. In C3 there is a park.
Check. The park is in C3. ✓
Watch out. Letter first, then number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Find the letter along the bottom and go up to the number. Look at what is in that square.
- Split the grid reference D5. The letter says which column. The number says which row.Letter = D (column 4), number = 5 (row 5)
- Find the column. Go to column D along the bottom of the map.Column D
- Go up to the row. Go up column D until you reach row 5.This is the square that is highlighted.
- Say what is there. The square D5 is empty. There is nothing there.
Check. There is no picture in D5. ✓
Watch out. Letter first, then number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Find the letter along the bottom and go up to the number. Look at what is in that square.
- Split the grid reference B2. The letter says which column. The number says which row.Letter = B (column 2), number = 2 (row 2)
- Find the column. Go to column B along the bottom of the map.Column B
- Go up to the row. Go up column B until you reach row 2.This is the square that is highlighted.
- Say what is there. In B2 there is a bridge.
Check. The bridge is in B2. ✓
Watch out. Letter first, then number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Use the order of the compass points going clockwise from North: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- Write the compass points in order. Clockwise from North there are eight points.N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW
- Find the gaps in the picture. The picture has three question marks: between N and E, between S and W, and between W and N.Between N and E is NE.
Between S and W is SW.
Between W and N is NW. - Write the answers. The boxes are NE, SW and NW.
Check. The opposite of NE is SW, and the opposite of SE (shown) is NW. ✓
Watch out. In between N and E is NE, with N first.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. North is at the top of the map. Count how many squares you go across and how many up or down. Then choose the compass point.
- Find the two places. Start at the shop. We want to know which way to go to reach the castle.The shop: E4. The castle: E5.
- Count the squares. Count across (east or west). Count up or down (north or south). North is at the top of the map.1 square north
- Say the direction. It only goes north or south, so the direction is north.The castle is north (N) of the shop.
Check. Go the other way from the castle and you are going south, back to the shop. ✓
Watch out. Check which way North is. It is at the top of the map, unless the map says something different.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. North is at the top of the map. Count how many squares you go across and how many up or down. Then choose the compass point.
- Find the two places. Start at the lake. We want to know which way to go to reach the house.The lake: F2. The house: D2.
- Count the squares. Count across (east or west). Count up or down (north or south). North is at the top of the map.2 squares west
- Say the direction. It only goes east or west, so the direction is west.The house is west (W) of the lake.
Check. Go the other way from the house and you are going east, back to the lake. ✓
Watch out. Check which way North is. It is at the top of the map, unless the map says something different.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. North is at the top of the map. Count how many squares you go across and how many up or down. Then choose the compass point.
- Find the two places. Start at the wood. We want to know which way to go to reach the school.The wood: A4. The school: B5.
- Count the squares. Count across (east or west). Count up or down (north or south). North is at the top of the map.1 square east and 1 square north
- Say the direction. It goes across and up or down by the same number of squares, so the direction is in between two main directions: north-east.The school is north-east (NE) of the wood.
Check. Go the other way from the school and you are going south-west, back to the wood. ✓
Watch out. Check which way North is. It is at the top of the map, unless the map says something different.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. The opposite direction is a half turn away, which is two quarter turns.
- Think about a half turn. The opposite direction is a half turn away. That is two quarter turns.Start: south (S)
- Turn two quarter turns. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.S → W → N
- Write the answer. The opposite of south is north (N).
Check. S and N are on opposite sides of the compass. ✓
Watch out. North-east is opposite south-west, not south-east.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. The opposite direction is a half turn away, which is two quarter turns.
- Think about a half turn. The opposite direction is a half turn away. That is two quarter turns.Start: north-east (NE)
- Turn two quarter turns. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.NE → SE → SW
- Write the answer. The opposite of north-east is south-west (SW).
Check. NE and SW are on opposite sides of the compass. ✓
Watch out. North-east is opposite south-west, not south-east.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. The opposite direction is a half turn away, which is two quarter turns.
- Think about a half turn. The opposite direction is a half turn away. That is two quarter turns.Start: west (W)
- Turn two quarter turns. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.W → N → E
- Write the answer. The opposite of west is east (E).
Check. W and E are on opposite sides of the compass. ✓
Watch out. North-east is opposite south-west, not south-east.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. The opposite direction is a half turn away, which is two quarter turns.
- Think about a half turn. The opposite direction is a half turn away. That is two quarter turns.Start: south-east (SE)
- Turn two quarter turns. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.SE → SW → NW
- Write the answer. The opposite of south-east is north-west (NW).
Check. SE and NW are on opposite sides of the compass. ✓
Watch out. North-east is opposite south-west, not south-east.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. A quarter turn is a right angle. On the compass a quarter turn moves two points (for example North to East). Turn one quarter at a time.
- Remember what a turn is. A quarter turn is a right angle. It moves two places along the compass, for example N to E. A half turn moves four places.Clockwise goes N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- Turn a quarter turn clockwise. 1 quarter turn clockwise. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.Start: north (N)
N → E - Write the answer. You are now facing east (E).
Check. Turning back the other way, a quarter turn anticlockwise from E gives N. ✓
Watch out. Clockwise is the way the hands of a clock go. Anticlockwise is the other way.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. A quarter turn is a right angle. On the compass a quarter turn moves two points (for example North to East). Turn one quarter at a time.
- Remember what a turn is. A quarter turn is a right angle. It moves two places along the compass, for example N to E. A half turn moves four places.Clockwise goes N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- Turn a half turn clockwise. 2 quarter turns clockwise. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.Start: east (E)
E → S → W - Write the answer. You are now facing west (W).
Check. Turning back the other way, a half turn anticlockwise from W gives E. ✓
Watch out. Clockwise is the way the hands of a clock go. Anticlockwise is the other way.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. A quarter turn is a right angle. On the compass a quarter turn moves two points (for example North to East). Turn one quarter at a time.
- Remember what a turn is. A quarter turn is a right angle. It moves two places along the compass, for example N to E. A half turn moves four places.Clockwise goes N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- Turn a quarter turn anticlockwise. 1 quarter turn anticlockwise. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.Start: south-west (SW)
SW → SE - Write the answer. You are now facing south-east (SE).
Check. Turning back the other way, a quarter turn clockwise from SE gives SW. ✓
Watch out. Clockwise is the way the hands of a clock go. Anticlockwise is the other way.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. A quarter turn is a right angle. On the compass a quarter turn moves two points (for example North to East). Turn one quarter at a time.
- Remember what a turn is. A quarter turn is a right angle. It moves two places along the compass, for example N to E. A half turn moves four places.Clockwise goes N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- Turn a three-quarter turn clockwise. 3 quarter turns clockwise. Each quarter turn moves two compass points.Start: west (W)
W → N → E → S - Write the answer. You are now facing south (S).
Check. Turning back the other way, a three-quarter turn anticlockwise from S gives W. ✓
Watch out. Clockwise is the way the hands of a clock go. Anticlockwise is the other way.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Start at the place. Follow each direction in turn, counting squares. Write down the grid reference after each leg.
- Find the start. Begin at the farm.The farm is in A1.
- Go 1 square north. North is up the map, south is down, east is to the right and west is to the left.A1 → A2
- Go 1 square east. North is up the map, south is down, east is to the right and west is to the left.A2 → B2
- Look at the square you are in. You are at B2. You have reached the bridge.
Check. The route ends in B2, where the bridge is. ✓
Watch out. Take one direction at a time. East and west change the letter. North and south change the number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Start at the place. Follow each direction in turn, counting squares. Write down the grid reference after each leg.
- Find the start. Begin at the castle.The castle is in E5.
- Go 3 squares west. North is up the map, south is down, east is to the right and west is to the left.E5 → B5
- Go 3 squares south. North is up the map, south is down, east is to the right and west is to the left.B5 → B2
- Look at the square you are in. You are at B2. You have reached the bridge.
Check. The route ends in B2, where the bridge is. ✓
Watch out. Take one direction at a time. East and west change the letter. North and south change the number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Count how far across (east or west) and how far up or down (north or south). Write the directions with the number of squares.
- Find the two places. We start at the first place and want to get to the second.The school: B5. The house: D2.
- Count the squares across. The letters tell us how far east or west. Letters go A, B, C, D, E, F from west to east.B to D: 2 east
- Count the squares up or down. The numbers tell us how far north or south. Numbers get bigger going north (up).5 to 2: 3 south
- Write the route. Say the east or west move first, then the north or south move.Go 2 squares east, then 3 squares south.
Check. Follow the route from the school: you arrive at the house. ✓
Watch out. Other routes also work, for example the north or south move first.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Remember: the letter comes first. Find the lake and read its grid reference.
- Find the lake. Look at the map. The lake is the blue shape.The lake is in the column F and in row 2.
- Write the reference. Letter first, then number.The lake is in F2.
- Say what Aisha did. Aisha wrote the number before the letter.Aisha wrote 2F. It should be F2.
Check. Column F, row 2 is where the lake is. ✓
Watch out. Grid references go letter, then number.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Find the direction from the shop to the castle. Then compare with what Mei said.
- Work out the direction. Count squares across and up or down.The castle is north (N) of the shop. (Check: castle in E5, shop in E4.)
- Compare with Mei’s answer. Mei says the castle is south of the shop.South is the opposite of north. The castle is above the shop, so it is not south.
- Say what is right. Mei is wrong. The castle is north (N) of the shop.
Check. The castle is higher up the map than the shop, so it must be north of it. ✓
Watch out. North is at the top. Higher up the map means more north.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Think about examples. Is the sentence true for all of them, some of them, or none?
- Think about the rule. In a grid reference the letter says which column and the number says which row.For example, the farm is A1 (letter A, number 1).
- Decide. We always say the letter first in this book.This is always true.
Check. C4, F2, B5: each has a letter then a number. ✓
Watch out. Test the sentence on the map.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Think about examples. Is the sentence true for all of them, some of them, or none?
- Try an example. On the village map the castle is above the shop.The castle is north of the shop.
- Think about going back. To go from the castle back to the shop you go the opposite way.The shop is south of the castle. North and south are opposites.
- Decide. The same is true for any two places.This is always true.
Check. The castle is north of the shop, so the shop is south of the castle. ✓
Watch out. Test the sentence on the map.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. Think about examples. Is the sentence true for all of them, some of them, or none?
- Think about a column. A column goes straight up the map. All squares in column D have the letter D.D1, D2, D3, D4, D5
- Decide. This is always true.
Check. Squares in the same column all start with the same letter. ✓
Watch out. Test the sentence on the map.
Key words. A grid reference tells you which square of a map something is in. We say the letter (along the bottom) first, then the number (up the side). The compass points are North (N), East (E), South (S) and West (W), and in between them NE, SE, SW and NW.
Method. The treasure is in the same column as the boat (north of it) and in the same row as the lake (west of it). Find the square that fits both clues.
- Use the first clue. Directly north of the boat means the same column as the boat.The boat is in D1, so the column is D.
- Use the second clue. Directly west of the lake means the same row as the lake.The lake is in E4, so the row is 4.
- Put the clues together. The treasure is in column D and row 4.The grid reference is D4.
Check. D4 is in the same column as the boat (D1) and the same row as the lake (E4). ✓
Watch out. North and south keep the same letter. East and west keep the same number.