Asked for the ordinate of (−9, 2), a student answered −9. What is the correct answer, and what did the student do?

Class 9Coordinate GeometryCoordinate Geometry

Step-by-Step Solution

(x, y)

the ordinate is the second coordinate, so the ordinate of (−9, 2) is 2. The value −9 is the abscissa, the first coordinate.

Answer: A) 2 — the student gave the abscissa instead of the ordinate.

Given a point on a graph:
1. Drop a perpendicular to the

x

-axis. Where it hits is the

x

-coordinate.
2. Drop a perpendicular to the

y

-axis. Where it hits is the

y

-coordinate.
3. Combine:

(x, y)

.

Reverse if you're given coordinates: read

x

first (horizontal direction), then

y

(vertical direction). Don't swap their roles.

Don't just memorise the answer — build a daily practice habit.