MA.6.GR.1.2

loading spinner
Export Print
Find distances between ordered pairs, limited to the same x-coordinate or the same y-coordinate, represented on the coordinate plane.
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 6
Strand: Geometric Reasoning
Standard: Apply previous understanding of the coordinate plane to solve problems.
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved

Benchmark Instructional Guide

Connecting Benchmarks/Horizontal Alignment

 

Terms from the K-12 Glossary

  • Axes (of a graph)
  • Coordinate
  • Coordinate Plane
  • Origin
  • Quadrant

 

Vertical Alignment

Previous Benchmarks

Next Benchmarks

 

Purpose and Instructional Strategies

Throughout the elementary grades, students have used the number line to model subtraction as the distance between two points. In grade 6, this connection has been extended to negative integers, and in this benchmark, it extends to the distance between ordered pairs of rational numbers in the four quadrants, if they share a coordinate. This prepares students in a visual way for the subtraction of rational numbers in grade 7. And in grade 8, students will find distances between any two ordered pairs using the Pythagorean Theorem. 
  • Instruction connects student understanding of MA.6.NSO.1 to the coordinate plane. Strategies include using absolute value to find the distance between two ordered pairs. Even though in grade 6, students are adding and subtracting integers, this benchmark focuses on using absolute value to explore addition and subtraction of rational numbers.
    • For example, the points (4, 9) and (4, −6) are plotted on a coordinate grid.
      (4,9) and (4,-6) plotted on a graph
      Students can use the absolute value of the first y-coordinate, 9, and the second y-coordinate, −6, and add these numbers together to determine the distance is 15.
  • When using rational numbers, instruction is restricted to numbers within the same form. Students should not be penalized though if they convert from one form to another when performing operations.
    • For example, if students are working with fractions, the ordered pairs will not include decimals. If students are working with decimals, the ordered pairs will not include fractions.
  • Students should be given the opportunity to find the distance between the ordered pairs both on and off of a graph.

 

Common Misconceptions or Errors

  • Students may have trouble finding the distance across either of the axes.
    • For example, find the distance between (−4, 3) and (5, 3). It may appear that the “difference” between −4 and 5 is 1. However, the distance from −4 to 0 is 4 units and from 0 to 5 is 5 units. Therefore, the distance between the two points is 9 units.
  • Students may misunderstand that a point on an axis has at least one coordinate of zero.
    • For example, the points (0, 8) and (4, 0) are graphed on the coordinate plane.
      (0,8) and (4,0) plotted on a graph
  • Some students may incorrectly believe that the points represent (8, 8) and (4, 4) or just (8) and (4).

 

Strategies to Support Tiered Instruction

  • Instruction includes using two notecards and covering empty portions of the coordinate plane to focus attention on the space between two provided points. Students can then count the number of spaces between the two points, paying attention to scaling.
  • If points are not already placed on a coordinate plane, students may plot the points to create a visual representation of the distances created.
  • Instruction includes building connections to plotting points on number lines. On one sheet of tracing paper, label a horizontal number line as the x-axis and plot the x-value. On another sheet of tracing paper, label a vertical number line as the y-axis and plot the y-value. Overlap the two number lines with a point of intersection at the origin (0,0). Place a third sheet of tracing paper on top of the two number lines, trace and label the x- and y-axis to produce a coordinate plane. The location of a new point should then be plotted in the appropriate quadrant to represent the horizontal and vertical locations of the two previously plotted points. This same strategy helps to draw connections to a point laying on an axis if one of the coordinates is zero.
  • Instruction includes creating connections back to finding distance on a number line. Lay a piece of tracing paper on top of the provided coordinate plane, trace the points, and draw a number line through the two points, paying close attention to the scaling. Once the number line is down, remove the tracing paper and find the distance between the two points on the number line.

 

Instructional Tasks

Instructional Task 1 (MTR.6.1)
On a coordinate grid, Perry is planning a future town by labeling different buildings. Each unit on the coordinate plane is equivalent to 0.5 miles.
    • Town Hall (2 ,5)
    • Fire Station (−4, 5)
    • Library (−4, −7)
    • Ice Cream Shop (3, −5)
    • Central Park (0, 0)
    • Grocery Store (2, −8)
    • Police Station (0, 6)
    • Gas Station (−4, −5)
  • Part A. What is the distance, in miles, from the Fire Station to the Library? 
  • Part B. How far, in miles, would the Mayor, located at Town Hall, have to walk to get to
    the grocery store? 
  • Part C. Compare a walk from Central Park to the Police Station and a walk from the Gas Station to the Ice Cream Shop. Which one is further?
  • Part D. Using what you have learned can you determine how far Perry would have to ride his bike, in miles, if he is starting at Central Park and going to the Ice Cream Shop and can only travel North, South, East or West.

Instructional Task 2 (MTR.3.1)
André is located at (−5, 3), Boris is located at (−1,3) and Carlos is located at (−5, −2). Determine the distance between André and Boris. Then determine the distance between André and Carlos. Show your work.

 

Instructional Items

Instructional Item 1
The points (0.4, −6) and (1.9, −6) represent the location of two towns on a coordinate grid, where one unit is equal to one mile. What is the distance, in miles, between the two towns?

Instructional Item 2
If the distance between two points is 7 units and one of the points is located at (−6, 3), what could be the coordinates of the other point?

 

*The strategies, tasks and items included in the B1G-M are examples and should not be considered comprehensive.

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
1205010: M/J Grade 6 Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
1205020: M/J Accelerated Mathematics Grade 6 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
1204000: M/J Foundational Skills in Mathematics 6-8 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7812015: Access M/J Grade 6 Mathematics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
MA.6.GR.1.AP.2: Count the distance between two ordered pairs with the same x-coordinate or the same y-coordinate.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Formative Assessment

Determine the Distance:

Students are given the coordinates of three points (with the same x- or y-coordinate) and asked to determine the distance between pairs of points without graphing.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

Game Room Copy Cat:

In this lesson, students will learn to plot points in all four quadrants of the coordinate grid, create a game room using only polygons, and describe the points in hopes of having their partner draw the exact room which will be kept a secret until the end. It's all about giving and following instructions while applying an understanding of positive and negative numbers on the coordinate grid.

Type: Lesson Plan

Plotting Rectangles:

Students are challenged to plot coordinates on a graph in order to create a rectangle, and then find the length of its horizontal and vertical sides using the coordinates to calculate the area and perimeter. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Coordinate Grids: The Key to the City (solving real-world problems using the coordinate grid):

This lesson contains a small group activity in which students use knowledge of graphing in a 4-quadrant coordinate grid. Students will individually solve a real-world problem to find the distance between two points on a coordinate grid. Students must utilize their knowledge of absolute value and subtracting integers to determine distances between points.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Puzzles in the Plane, Part 2:

You will continue the scavenger hunt with Seth and Jankia as they learn about lines of reflection (when they are horizontal and vertical axes) and how to determine distances in the coordinate plane in this interactive tutorial.

This is the second tutorial in a series of two. The first tutorial, Puzzles in the Plane, Part 1, introduces the coordinate plane, ordered pairs, and how to graph points in all four quadrants and on the axes.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Perspectives Video: Teaching Ideas

Adding Integers:

Unlock an effective teaching strategy for using patterns to help students make generalizations when adding integers in this Teacher Perspectives video for educators.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Supporting English Language Learners in the Math Classroom:

Unlock an effective teaching strategy for using cognates to help English Language Learners in the Mathematics classroom in this Teacher Perspectives video for educators.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

MFAS Formative Assessments

Determine the Distance:

Students are given the coordinates of three points (with the same x- or y-coordinate) and asked to determine the distance between pairs of points without graphing.

Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades 6-8

Puzzles in the Plane, Part 2:

You will continue the scavenger hunt with Seth and Jankia as they learn about lines of reflection (when they are horizontal and vertical axes) and how to determine distances in the coordinate plane in this interactive tutorial.

This is the second tutorial in a series of two. The first tutorial, Puzzles in the Plane, Part 1, introduces the coordinate plane, ordered pairs, and how to graph points in all four quadrants and on the axes.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Puzzles in the Plane, Part 2:

You will continue the scavenger hunt with Seth and Jankia as they learn about lines of reflection (when they are horizontal and vertical axes) and how to determine distances in the coordinate plane in this interactive tutorial.

This is the second tutorial in a series of two. The first tutorial, Puzzles in the Plane, Part 1, introduces the coordinate plane, ordered pairs, and how to graph points in all four quadrants and on the axes.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.