To plot a grid coordinate on a topographical map, which direction do you read the coordinates?

The correct choice involves reading grid coordinates on a topographical map from left to right and then from bottom to top. This method aligns with how most maps are interpreted, as you first locate the vertical lines (the easting coordinates) which guide you left or right, followed by the horizontal lines (the northing coordinates) that direct you up or down the map.

When plotting coordinates, such as in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system often used in topographical maps, the easting is provided first, which is read horizontally across the map from the left side. Once the correct vertical position is established, you then move upward to determine the latitude or northing component. This standardized approach ensures accuracy and clarity when navigating or marking locations on a map, which is critical in military operations and other fields that require precise location identification.