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Position Quiz Illustration | Compass and arrows
Which direction does the straight line starting at (-5, 2) and ending at (-2, -1) point in?

Position 3 (Difficult)

This 11 Plus Maths quiz explores position and direction, helping pupils understand bearings, rotations, and how geometry applies to navigation and movement.

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Fascinating Fact:

The Earth’s magnetic poles slowly move over time, meaning compass bearings must be recalculated every few years for accurate navigation.

In 11 Plus Maths, pupils study position through angles, turns, and coordinates. These skills show how maths links to geography, engineering, and everyday direction-finding tasks.

  • Bearing: A direction measured clockwise from north, written in degrees.
  • Coordinate: A pair of numbers showing a point’s exact position on a grid.
  • Rotation: The movement of a shape around a fixed point through a set angle.
Why are bearings important in maths and navigation?

Bearings give precise directions using degrees. They are vital in navigation, map reading, and geometry for describing movement between two points.

How do coordinates describe position on a grid?

Coordinates show the horizontal and vertical position of a point using ordered pairs like (x, y), where x is along the bottom and y is up the side.

What’s the difference between true north and magnetic north?

True north points to the Earth’s geographic North Pole, while magnetic north shifts slowly over time because it’s based on the planet’s magnetic field.

1 .
Which coordinates are SW of (3, 12)?
(-1, -10)
(1, -10)
(-1, 10)
(1, 10)
Starting at (3, 12) draw a line 225° from North (45 x 5 = 215). All points along this line (including 1, 10) lie SW of (3, 12)
2 .
You are facing SE. If you turn through 45° anticlockwise and then 315° clockwise, which direction will you be facing now?
N
NE
E
SE
45° anticlockwise makes you face E. 315° clockwise = 7 lots of 45° = (seven-eighths of a turn) makes you face NE
3 .
What are the coordinates of the point that is the same distance away from the x-axis as the point (0, -8)?
(0, 8)
(8, 8)
(8, 0)
(-8, 0)
(0, -8) is at 8 on the negative y-axis: 8 units below the x-axis. (0, 8) is at 8 on the positive y-axis: 8 above the x-axis
4 .
Cassie is drawing a straight line path starting at point A (-1, -1). She then moves as follows: 2 cm West to point B, SE to point C which is due South of point A, and 8 cm South to point D. What are the coordinates of point D?
(-11, -1)
(1, -11)
(-1, -11)
(-1, 11)
The best way to work this out is with a diagram – it’s very hard to keep all that information in your head!
5 .
If you join up the points A (-6, -3), B (-6, -5), C (-4, -5), D (-4, -3) with straight lines you will get a square that lies in a certain quadrant. If the square is rotated anticlockwise through 90° about the point (0, 0), which quadrant will it end up in and what will its new coordinates be?
A (3, 6) B (5, 6), C (5, 4) D (3, 4) in the first quadrant
A (-3, 6), B (-5, 6), C (-5, 4) D (-3, 4) in the second quadrant
A (3, -6), B (5, -6), C (5, -4) D (3, -4) in the third quadrant
A (3, -6), B (5, -6), C (5, -4) D (3, -4) in the fourth quadrant
The square is initially in the third quadrant. Join up the four corners with straight lines (the lengths of which should be 2 units). to the centre of rotation (0, 0). Now rotate your paper 90° anticlockwise and watch where their end points end up: these will give you the positions of the new coordinates of the square. Remember to relabel your axes!
6 .
A circle with centre (-7, 2) and diameter 4 cm is drawn on the coordinate plane. Which points will the circle pass through?
(-3, 2), (-7, 6), (-11, 2), (-7, -2)
(5, -2), (7, -4), (9, -2), (7, 0)
(3, -2), (7, -6), (11, -2), (7, 0)
(-5, 2), (-7, 4), (-9, 2), (-7, 0)
The radius is half the diameter = 2 cm; therefore, the circle will pass through those points that are at a distance of 2 cm from its centre (-7, 2)
7 .
How many degrees are there in seven-half rotations?
315°
630°
1,260°
2,520°
There are 180° in a half rotation: 180 x 7 = 1,260°
8 .
You are facing SW. If you turn through 225° anticlockwise and then 90° clockwise, which direction will you be facing now?
E
NE
SE
N
'Anticlockwise' means that you turn (rotate) in the opposite direction to which the hands of the clock turn: the hands of the clock turn 'clockwise'.
225° = five lots of 45° (five-eighths of a turn) anticlockwise makes you face N. 90° clockwise = one-quarter of a turn, makes you face E
9 .
Which of the following is the angle between E and NW?
115°
125°
135°
145°
Three lots of 45° anticlockwise. If you rotated in the clockwise direction, it would be five lots of 45° = 225°. Whenever you can, always give the smallest angle. Note: 225° anticlockwise + 135° clockwise = 360°
10 .
Which direction does the straight line starting at (-5, 2) and ending at (-2, -1) point in?
SW
SE
NW
NE
A diagram will help a lot in doing these questions!
Author:  Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)

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