How to Graph Pairs to Make a Picture

Graph paper makes it easy to mark ordered pairs.

You don't have to be Matt Damon's character from the movie "Good Will Hunting" to make pictures with mathematical graphs and equations. Graph pairs chart different locations on a graph. With simple placement of the graph pairs, make a picture of your favorite things. The Little Dipper and Big Dipper are constellations made by connecting stars with line segments. Just like constellations in the sky, connect the graph pairs with line segments to create those pictures.

Things You'll Need

• Graph paper
• Pencil
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Learn the rules of a graph and ordered pairs. The horizontal line on the graph is the X axis. The vertical line on the graph is the Y axis. An ordered pair is read (x, y). The number on the left is the position on the X-axis. The number on the right is the position on the Y-axis.

2. Mark a dot at the ordered pair (0,7); which is Point A. Mark the ordered pair (-5,-3); which is Point B. Connect Points A and B with a pencil and ruler.

3. Mark a dot at the ordered pair (5,3); which is Point C. Connect Points B and C.

4. Mark a dot at the ordered pair (-5, 3); which is Point D. Connect Points C and D.

5. Mark a dot at the ordered pair (5,-3); which is Point E. Connect Points D and E.

6. Look at lines connecting the ordered pairs. You have created a star picture using a graph and ordered pairs.

References

• Washington University of St. Louis; Ordered Pairs, Products and Relations

Resources

• MathsIsFun.com; Draw a T-Rex Picture
• Math Cats: Make a Math Cat; Wendy Petti
• Utah Education Network; Coordinate Connections