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Maths Adventures

Sailing maths quest: coordinates

A story-led junior maths adventure using maps, bearings and voyage planning to locate hidden items on grids and maps.

Quick answer

Coordinates help you find exact places on a map or grid – like finding treasure on a sailing map!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use coordinates to find and describe positions on a grid, like a sailor finding a hidden treasure chest. Success signs:
  • You can say the position of a point using two numbers like (3, 5)
  • You understand that the first number shows how far across and the second shows how far up
  • You can find a point on a grid when given coordinates
  • You can use coordinates to plan a sailing route

Why this matters

Coordinates are used by sailors, pilots, explorers, and even video game players to find exact places. When you're planning a trip, playing a treasure hunt game, or building with LEGO, you're using coordinates. Learning how to use coordinates helps you understand how to move around the world, whether on land or sea!

How it works

Coordinates are two numbers that show where something is on a grid. The first number tells you how far across (left or right) and the second number tells you how far up (or down). Think of a grid like a map with rows and columns. The numbers go up from bottom to top and across from left to right. You start at the bottom-left corner, which is (0, 0). To find a coordinate like (4, 3):
  1. Start at (0, 0) – the bottom-left corner
  2. Move 4 spaces to the right
  3. Move 3 spaces up
  4. You are now at (4, 3)

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are on a sailing adventure and need to find a treasure chest. Your map is a grid, and you have clues to find it. Example 1: The treasure is at (2, 4).
  • Start at the bottom-left corner
  • Move 2 spaces to the right
  • Move 4 spaces up
  • There’s your treasure!
Example 2: A lighthouse is at (5, 1).
  • Start at (0, 0)
  • Move 5 spaces to the right
  • Move 1 space up
  • That’s where the lighthouse stands
Example 3: A ship is at (3, 7).
  • Start at (0, 0)
  • Move 3 spaces to the right
  • Move 7 spaces up
  • That’s the ship’s position

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Sailing Quest You are Captain Sarah and you're sailing to find a hidden treasure. You have a map with coordinates, but you must find the treasure by following the clues. Clue 1: The treasure chest is at (6, 3).
  • Start at (0, 0)
  • Move 6 spaces to the right
  • Move 3 spaces up
  • What do you find?
Clue 2: A mermaid statue is at (1, 8).
  • Start at (0, 0)
  • Move 1 space to the right
  • Move 8 spaces up
  • Where is the mermaid?
Clue 3: The anchor is at (9, 2).
  • Start at (0, 0)
  • Move 9 spaces to the right
  • Move 2 spaces up
  • What’s under the anchor?
Challenge: Draw your own grid and place 3 items at different coordinates. Can your friend find them using your clues?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking the first number is up and the second is across.
    Why it happens: You might confuse which direction is which.
    Fix: Remember: first number = across (right), second number = up (up).
  • Mistake: Starting from the top-left corner instead of bottom-left.
    Why it happens: It’s easy to get confused when you’re new to this.
    Fix: Always start at (0, 0) – the bottom-left corner.
  • Mistake: Counting the starting point as one of the moves.
    Why it happens: You might accidentally count where you start.
    Fix: Remember, (0, 0) is your starting point – don’t count it as a move.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Using a grid paper to practice with your child
  • Playing a game where you give coordinates and your child finds them
  • Using a real map and pointing out places using coordinates
  • Practising with a treasure hunt at home using a grid
  • Encouraging your child to draw their own maps with coordinates
Five-minute tips:
  1. Ask your child to describe where their toys are using coordinates
  2. Use a grid on a piece of paper and place a toy at a coordinate
  3. Play a quick game: “I say a coordinate, you tell me what’s there”
  4. Use a kitchen grid or a floor grid to make it real
  5. Ask your child to draw a simple map of their room using coordinates

Practice questions

  1. What are the coordinates of a point that is 3 spaces to the right and 5 spaces up?
  2. Where is the point at (7, 2)?
  3. Find the point that is 4 spaces to the left and 6 spaces up (remember, left is negative)?
  4. Draw a grid and place a flag at (2, 3), a tree at (5, 1), and a rock at (1, 4).
  5. What is the point that is 8 spaces right and 3 spaces up?
Answers:
  1. (3, 5)
  2. Start at (0, 0), move 7 spaces right, 2 spaces up
  3. (-4, 6) – but for younger children, you can say this is 4 spaces left and 6 spaces up
  4. Draw a grid and place items at the given coordinates
  5. (8, 3)

FAQ

What are coordinates?

Coordinates are two numbers that tell you exactly where something is on a grid. The first number shows how far across, and the second shows how far up.

Why do we use coordinates?

We use coordinates to find exact places on a map, grid, or chart. They help sailors, pilots, explorers, and even video game players navigate and find things.

Can I use coordinates in real life?

Yes! You can use coordinates when you're playing games, planning a trip, or even when you're looking for something in your room or garden.

How can I practice coordinates at home?

You can draw a grid, place objects at different coordinates, and ask someone to find them. You can also use a treasure hunt game or play with a map.

What if I’m confused about which number is which?

Remember: the first number is across (right or left), and the second number is up (or down). You can always practice with simple grids and check your work!