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Maths Adventures

Dinosaur maths quest: coordinates

A story-led junior maths adventure using fossils, footprints and giant timelines to locate hidden items on grids and maps.

Quick answer

Coordinates help us find exact places on a grid or map by using two numbers – one for the horizontal direction and one for the vertical direction.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use coordinates to find and describe positions on a grid, just like a dinosaur explorer finding hidden fossils or footprints in a prehistoric landscape. Success signs:
  • You can say which number comes first and which comes second in a coordinate pair
  • You can find a position on a grid using two numbers
  • You can describe where something is using coordinates
  • You can play a game or solve a puzzle using coordinates

Why this matters

Coordinates are used everywhere – from finding your seat on a cinema or football pitch to helping robots navigate or planes fly. In dinosaur exploration, scientists use coordinates to mark where they found fossils or footprints. You use coordinates every day when you play games, draw maps, or even look at a treasure map.

How it works

Coordinates are like a special address for a place on a grid. They always have two numbers, written in brackets like this: (x, y). The first number (x) tells you how far to move left or right. The second number (y) tells you how far to move up or down. Let's imagine a big grid like a giant piece of graph paper:
  1. Start at the bottom left corner (called the origin)
  2. Move along the bottom (x-axis) to the right for the first number
  3. Then move up (y-axis) for the second number
  4. Where those two lines meet is your coordinate

Examples you can see

Let's go on a dinosaur adventure! Imagine you are a fossil hunter and you have a map of a prehistoric site. Example 1: You are looking for a dinosaur footprint. The map says the footprint is at coordinate (3, 2). This means:
  • Move 3 steps to the right
  • Then move 2 steps up
  • That spot is where the footprint is
Example 2: You find a fossil at (5, 4). This means:
  • Move 5 steps to the right
  • Then move 4 steps up
  • There is your fossil!
Example 3: Your friend tells you a treasure is at (0, 3). This means:
  • Don't move right or left (0 steps)
  • Move 3 steps up
  • That's where the treasure is

Try it as a mini adventure

Mini Adventure: Dinosaur Dig Site You are a young dinosaur explorer with your team. Your mission is to find three hidden items using coordinates:
  1. First, you find a fossil at (2, 3)
  2. Second, you find a footprint at (4, 1)
  3. Third, you find a bone at (1, 5)
Draw your own grid with numbers from 0 to 5 on both axes. Mark these three spots and see if you can find them!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking the first number in a coordinate is up or down
    Why it happens: Confusing which number goes where
    Fix: Remember: the first number always goes right or left (horizontal), the second number goes up or down (vertical)
  • Mistake: Starting from the top or left instead of the bottom left
    Why it happens: Not remembering the origin point
    Fix: Always start at the bottom left corner (0, 0)
  • Mistake: Counting the starting point as one step
    Why it happens: Getting confused about where to start counting
    Fix: Think of it like a path: you don't count where you start, you count where you go

Parent and carer guide

To help your child with coordinates, try these 5-minute activities:
  • Draw a simple grid on paper and use a toy or marker to find positions
  • Play a game where you give your child coordinates and they find the spot
  • Use a map of your house or garden to practice finding rooms or spots
  • Play a treasure hunt using grid coordinates in your home
  • Ask your child to explain what the first and second numbers mean in a coordinate
Don't worry if your child makes mistakes – it's part of learning. Encourage them to check their work by counting carefully and using the correct starting point.

Practice questions

  1. Where is the coordinate (3, 2)?
  2. What coordinate is at 4 steps right and 1 step up?
  3. Find the position at (0, 5)
  4. Which coordinate is 2 steps right and 3 steps up?
  5. What is the coordinate of a spot that is 5 steps right and 0 steps up?
Answers:
  1. Move 3 steps right, then 2 steps up
  2. (4, 1)
  3. Move 0 steps right, then 5 steps up
  4. (2, 3)
  5. (5, 0)

FAQ

What are coordinates used for?

Coordinates help us find exact places on a map or grid. They're used in games, navigation, science, and even art and design.

How do I remember which number is first in coordinates?

Think of the word "XY" as "X-Right, Y-Up". Or remember "X" is like "X marks the spot" – it's the horizontal direction first.

Can I use coordinates with any shape?

Yes! You can use coordinates with any grid or map. The grid can be any size, and you can use numbers or letters to label the axes.

Do coordinates always start at the bottom left?

Yes, in most standard grids, coordinates start at the bottom left corner, which is (0, 0). This is called the origin.

Can I use coordinates to find items in a 3D space?

Yes! In 3D space, we use three coordinates (x, y, z) instead of two. This helps us find positions in space, like where a drone is flying or where a robot is moving.