Position & direction
Position and Movement
You can describe a position on a grid using coordinates, and describe movement and direction using the eight points of a compass.
The eight compass directions
1. The four main directions are North, East, South and West. 2. Between them are North-East (NE), South-East (SE), South-West (SW) and North-West (NW). 3. That makes eight directions in all. Opposite pairs are N/S, E/W, NE/SW and NW/SE.
Reading coordinates
1. Coordinates are written as a pair of numbers (x, y). 2. The first number is how far across (horizontal), found on the x-axis. 3. The second number is how far up (vertical), found on the y-axis. 4. Always read across first, then up.
Describing movement
1. You can describe a journey square by square, e.g. 1 square North then 3 squares East. 2. To travel back, reverse the order and swap each direction for its opposite. 3. For example, North becomes South and East becomes West.
Worked examples
A missing compass direction
- The eight directions are N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
- A compass shows N, NE, E, SE, S, SW and W.
- Check which one is not there.
Answer: The missing direction is NW (North-West).
Marking the point (3, 5)
- The first number, 3, is the across distance: find 3 on the x-axis.
- The second number, 5, is the up distance: find 5 on the y-axis.
- Mark a cross where the two lines cross.
Answer: The cross is at (3, 5).
Describing a return journey
- From Ibri to Sheki: NW, NE, NW, NE.
- To go back, reverse the order and take opposites.
- NE becomes SW and NW becomes SE.
Answer: From Sheki to Ibri: SW, SE, SW, SE.
Where you see this in real life
- Using a compass to find your way at sea or in an unfamiliar place.
- Reading a map to plan a route between two towns.
- Giving the position of a place on a treasure map or game grid.
Key words
- Compass
- A tool that shows direction using eight points such as N, NE and E.
- Coordinates
- A pair of numbers (x, y) that give a position on a grid.
- x-axis
- The horizontal line across the bottom of a grid.
- y-axis
- The vertical line up the side of a grid.