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Why do (−6, 2) and (2, −6) lie in different quadrants, even though they are built from the same two numbers?

Class 9Coordinate GeometryCoordinate Geometry
  • ABecause −6 is smaller than 2, so the points must fall in different halves of the plane.
  • BBecause (−6, 2) has a negative abscissa with a positive ordinate, which is quadrant II, while (2, −6) has a positive abscissa with a negative ordinate, which is quadrant IV.
  • CBecause the point built from the larger numbers always lies in a lower quadrant.
  • DThey actually lie in the same quadrant, since the coordinates are the same two numbers.

Step-by-Step Solution

The order of an ordered pair decides which number is the abscissa and which is the ordinate, and therefore which coordinate carries the minus sign. (−, +) is quadrant II and (+, −) is quadrant IV.
Answer: B) Because (−6, 2) has a negative abscissa with a positive ordinate, which is quadrant II, while (2, −6) has a positive abscissa with a negative ordinate, which is quadrant IV.

Key idea: Identifying quadrants quickly

Just look at the signs:

| Quadrant | sign | sign | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | + | + | (3, 4) |
| II | − | + | (−3, 4) |
| III | − | − | (−3, −4) |
| IV | + | − | (3, −4) |

**Memory trick** (anti-clockwise from top-right): I is +/+; rotate one quadrant counter-clockwise → flip the appropriate sign each step.

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