Understand the idea.
Compare one feature at a time
Places in the same row have the same number in their references. Home A1 and Park D1 are level across the map because both are in row 1. Their column letters can be different.
Places in the same column share a letter instead. Home A1 and Pool A4 are both in column A, so one is above the other on this map.
Give enough information
A phrase such as “near the top” gives a rough location. A grid reference gives a particular cell. You can add relative information: School D4 is to the right of Pool A4, in the same row.
When counting the steps between rows, count each move into the next row. From row 2 to row 4, the moves are from 2 to 3 and then from 3 to 4.
See the method in action.
Same column
Which named place shares Home’s column?
Worked solution
- 1
Read Home’s reference, A1.
The letter A tells us which column to search.
- 2
Look up column A for another named place.
A matching column letter means the places lie in the same vertical strip.
- 3
Choose Pool at A4.
Pool shares the letter A with Home, even though its row number differs.
Pool.
Comparing rows
How many row steps separate the shop in C2 and the top row?
Worked solution
- 1
Read the starting and finishing rows.
The shop is in C2 and the top row is labelled 4.
- 2
Count the moves between rows.
Each arrow represents one move into a neighbouring row.
- 3
State the separation.
The starting row does not count as a move.
Two row steps.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Which named places share row 4?
Show answer & reasoning
Pool and School.
Pool is at A4 and School is at D4. The shared row number 4 shows that both places are in row 4.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions · 7 marks
Read the questions online
- Which named places share row 1?1 mark
- Which named places share column D?1 mark
- Is the library above or below the shop on the map?1 mark
- How many column steps separate Pool in A4 from School in D4?1 mark
- A marker is one row above C2 and stays in column C. Give its new reference.1 mark
- Give two different clues that identify Home on the map.2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Which named places share row 1?1 mark
Their references are A1 and D1.
Home and Park. - Which named places share column D?1 mark
Their references are D1 and D4.
Park and School. - Is the library above or below the shop on the map?1 mark
Library is in row 3; Shop is in row 2.
Above. - How many column steps separate Pool in A4 from School in D4?1 mark
A to B, B to C, then C to D.
Three. - A marker is one row above C2 and stays in column C. Give its new reference.1 mark
Increase the row number by one but keep the column.
C3. - Give two different clues that identify Home on the map.2 marks
Other correct combinations of unambiguous clues are valid.
For example: it is in A1; it shares a column with Pool and a row with Park.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
Letter–number references; positions; directions; pathways.
Official curriculum source ↗