Let's plot the point (3,4)

Start with this:

 


1. find 3 on the x-axis (the horizontal axis,
and draw a vertical line through it, like the green one below:


 
 

2. find 4 on the y-axis (the vertical axis,
and draw a horizontal line through it, like the blue one below:

 


3. Mark the point where the green line and the blue line cross,
and label it (3,4).  The 3 means it is in line with 3 on
the x-axis and the 4 means it is in line with 4 on the y-axis.



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4. Finally, erase the green and blue lines:





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Now let's plot the point (-5,1)


 


To plot the point (-5,1) 

1. find -5 on the x-axis (the horizontal axis,
and draw a vertical line through it, like the green one below:


 

2. find 1 on the y-axis (the vertical axis,
and draw a horizontal line through it, like the blue one below:

 
Mark the point where the green line and the blue line cross,
and label it (-5,1).  The -5 means it is in line with -5 on
the x-axis and the 1 means it is in line with 1 on the y-axis.



4. Finally, erase the green and blue lines:




Edwin