National 5 Maths: 3D Coordinates

Course content

  • Determining coordinates of a point from a diagram representing a three-dimensional object

Key ideas

  • This short topic is closely related to vectors.
  • There is more than one way to represent 3D coordinates on a 2D piece of paper (or a webpage), but the most common orientation is:
    • \(x\) on the page pointing, right →
    • \(y\) going into the page ⬈
    • \(z\) on the page, pointing up ↑
  • Remember that (\(a\),\(b\),\(c\)) means the point that you arrive at if you start at the origin (0,0,0) and move \(a\) units in the direction of the \(x\)-axis, \(b\) units in the \(y\)-direction and \(c\) units in the \(z\)-direction.

Textbook page references


Recommended revision course


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Example 1 (non-calculator)

The diagram shows a cuboid OABCDEFG, relative to the coordinate axes.

  • OA = 8 units.
  • OC = 5 units.
  • OG = 6 units.
  • M is the midpoint of DE.
  • N is the point at the centre of the base.

(a)  Write down the coordinates of A.

(b)  Write down the coordinates of D.

(c)  Write down the coordinates of E.

(d)  Write down the coordinates of M.

(e)  Write down the coordinates of N.

Recommended student books

Zeta Maths: National 5+ practice book 
Leckie: National 5 Maths textbook 

Example 2 (non-calculator)

The diagram shows a rectangular-based pyramid, relative to the coordinate axes.

The apex D is directly above the centre of the base.

The height of the pyramid equals the length of its base.

Write down the coordinates of D.

Example 3 (calculator)

SQA National 5 Maths 2014 P2 Q2

The diagram shows a cube placed on top of a cuboid, relative to the coordinate axes.

A is the point (8,4,6).
Write down the coordinates of B and C.

Recommended revision guides

How to Pass National 5 Maths 
BrightRED N5 Maths Study Guide 

Example 4 (non-calculator)

SQA National 5 Maths 2017 P1 Q5

The diagram shows a square-based pyramid placed on top of a cube, relative to the coordinate axes.

The height of the pyramid is half of the height of the cube.
A is the point (6,0,0).
The point C is directly above the centre of the base.
Write down the coordinates of B and C.

Example 5 (non-calculator)

SQA National 5 Maths 2018 P1 Q13

The diagram shows a triangular prism, ABCDEF, relative to the coordinate axes.

•  AD = AE.
•  DC = 8 units.
•  Edges EF, DC and AB are parallel to the y-axis.
Write down the coordinates of B and C.

N5 Maths practice papers

Non-calculator papers and solutions 
Calculator papers and solutions 

Example 6 (calculator)

SQA National 5 Maths 2019 P2 Q5

The diagram shows a cone with diameter 6 units and height 8 units.

•  The \(x\)-axis and the \(y\)-axis are tangents to the base
•  A is the point of contact between the base and the \(x\)-axis
•  B is directly above the centre of the base
Write down the coordinates of A and B.

Example 7 (non-calculator)

SQA National 5 Maths 2021 P1 Q14(a)

The diagram shows a hemisphere relative to the coordinate axes.

•  A is the point (6,0,0)
•  C is the midpoint of diameter OA
•  B is vertically below C
State the coordinates of B.

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Past paper questions

All past paper questions by topic
2014 Paper 2 Q2
2016 P1 Q7 (with 3D Pythagoras)
2017 Paper 1 Q5
2018 Paper 1 Q13
2019 Paper 2 Q5
2021 Paper 1 Q14(a)

Other great resources

Video - Maths180.com
Video - Tynecastle Maths
Video - DLB Maths
SQA 2014 Paper 2 Q2 solution
Notes and videos - Mistercorzi
Notes - BBC Bitesize
Test yourself - BBC Bitesize
Lesson notes - Maths 777
Practice questions - Maths Hunter
Exercises - Larkhall Academy
Pages 25-27 Ex 6

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