Year 4 · Coordinates and Translation · Summary

Year 4 Coordinates and Translation: summary and key words

Part of the Year 4 coordinates and translation chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

Chapter summary

Skill	Method
Coordinates	Write (along, up) in brackets. The first number is x (along the x-axis). The second is y (up the y-axis). The origin is (0, 0). Along the corridor, then up the stairs.
Plotting	Start at (0, 0). Go along x, go up y, mark the point. Join points in order to make a polygon. Check the sides and right angles to name it.
Missing corners	Rectangle: copy x from one corner and y from another. Parallelogram: use the same move on opposite sides. Kite and isosceles triangle: use the mirror line.
Lines	A horizontal line: all the points have the same y. A vertical line: all the points have the same x.
Translating points	Right: add to x. Left: take away from x. Up: add to y. Down: take away from y. Say it as “3 right, 2 up”.
Describing a move	Compare x-coordinates for left or right. Compare y-coordinates for up or down. Check with a second corner for a shape.
Translating shapes	Move every corner by the same move. The shape stays the same size and faces the same way.
Maps	Grid reference: letter first, then number (for example C4). North is at the top. The eight points: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
Robots and routes	F = forward, R = quarter turn right, L = quarter turn left. East: x up. West: x down. North: y up. South: y down. Shortest route = across + up or down.

I can read and write coordinates, along first and then up.
I can plot points and join them to make a polygon, and name the shape.
I can find a missing corner of a square, rectangle, parallelogram, kite or isosceles triangle.
I can find a missing coordinate on a horizontal or vertical line.
I can translate a point or a shape and write the new coordinates.
I can describe the translation from one point or shape to another.
I can use grid references and the eight compass points on a map.
I can follow and write robot programs with forward and quarter turns.
I can solve treasure-map problems with coordinates and compass directions.

Coordinates: Two numbers in brackets, (along, up), that give the position of a point.
x-axis: The line going along the bottom of a grid.
y-axis: The line going up the side of a grid.
Origin: The point (0, 0) where the axes meet.
Plot: To mark a point on a grid.
Vertex: A corner of a shape (plural: vertices).
Polygon: A flat shape with straight sides.
Horizontal: Flat, going across.
Vertical: Straight up and down.
Translation: A slide. The shape does not turn or flip.
Grid reference: The letter then the number that names a square on a map, such as C4.
Compass points: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW.
Program: A list of instructions for a robot.
Quarter turn: A right angle. A turn left or right in a robot program.
Perimeter: The distance all the way round a shape.