Question 401356
Sir/Madam,
The basis of all graphing exercises, from the simplest (plotting points) to the the most complicated (e.g., algebraic geometry), is an appreciation of the basic Cartesian coordinate system. Give your son lots of exercises on plotting random points on the Cartesian system. Then ask him if he can form geometrical objects, any geometrical object, by connecting dots (points) on the coordinate system.  After doing this for some time (probably after having had enough of this simple exercise), introduce order and structure by  illustrating how to form a straight line using two points ({{{x[1]}}}, {{{y[1]}}}) and  ({{{x[0]}}}, {{{y[0]}}}). Always keep in mind the position of the line with respect to the origin (0,0), and whether the line falls or rises from left to right.  Don't be discouraged if he doesn't get it right away:  for many people it takes time to understand the most basic of mathematical concepts (which might actually include me.) =)