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Orienting Yourself: The Use of Coordinates — CBSE Class 9 Maths Important Questions

13 CBSE Class 9 Maths practice questions on Orienting Yourself: The Use of Coordinates, each with a full model answer, covering 5 topics from the chapter in the question formats used in the exam.

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Reviewed by Classmate AI Team · 18 October 2026

Last updated 25 October 2026

13
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5
Topics
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Key concepts
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With answers
Quick answer

Coordinate Geometry questions ask you to name the quadrant or axis of a point, plot and read points on the Cartesian plane, find the distance between two points with (x2−x1)2+(y2−y1)2\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}√((x₂-x₁)²+(y₂-y₁)²), find the midpoint (x1+x22,y1+y22)\left(\frac{x_1+x_2}{2},\frac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)((x₁+x₂)/2,(y₁+y₂)/2), and test whether three points lie on a straight line.

About Orienting Yourself: The Use of Coordinates

This chapter introduces the Cartesian coordinate system — two perpendicular number lines (the xxx-axis and yyy-axis) meeting at the origin. Every point in the plane is fixed by an ordered pair (x,y)(x,y)(x,y), where the abscissa xxx measures horizontal distance and the ordinate yyy measures vertical distance. You learn to plot points, identify quadrants, and describe positions using signs of the coordinates.

Cartesian plane, axes and originQuadrants and sign conventionsPlotting points and reading coordinatesDistance between two pointsMidpoint of a line segment; collinear points

Key concepts & formulas

The Cartesian plane

Two number lines, the horizontal xxx-axis and the vertical yyy-axis, intersect at right angles at the origin O(0,0)O(0,0)O(0,0), dividing the plane into four quadrants.

Ordered pair

A point is written (x,y)(x,y)(x,y): the abscissa xxx comes first (horizontal), the ordinate yyy second (vertical). Order matters — (3,5)≠(5,3)(3,5)\neq(5,3)(3,5)≠(5,3).

Sign of coordinates by quadrant

Quadrant I: (+,+)(+,+)(+,+); II: (−,+)(-,+)(-,+); III: (−,−)(-,-)(-,-); IV: (+,−)(+,-)(+,-). On the xxx-axis y=0y=0y=0; on the yyy-axis x=0x=0x=0.

Distance and midpoint

Distance between (x1,y1)(x_1,y_1)(x₁,y₁) and (x2,y2)(x_2,y_2)(x₂,y₂) is (x2−x1)2+(y2−y1)2\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}√((x₂-x₁)²+(y₂-y₁)²); their midpoint is (x1+x22,y1+y22)\left(\frac{x_1+x_2}{2},\frac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)((x₁+x₂)/2,(y₁+y₂)/2). Three points are collinear when the two shorter distances add up to the longest.

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Important questions with answers

Try each on paper first, then reveal the model answer to check your method.

Multiple-choice questions (1 mark)

Q1MCQEasy1 mark

The point (−4,7)(-4, 7)(-4, 7) lies in which quadrant?

  1. (a)

    Quadrant I

  2. (b)

    Quadrant II

  3. (c)

    Quadrant III

  4. (d)

    Quadrant IV

Show model answer

Answer: (b) Quadrant II.

Here the abscissa is negative (−4)(-4)(-4) and the ordinate is positive (+7)(+7)(+7). The sign pattern (−,+)(-,+)(-,+) corresponds to the second quadrant.

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Q2MCQEasy1 mark

The abscissa of every point lying on the yyy-axis is:

  1. (a)

    111

  2. (b)

    000

  3. (c)

    equal to its ordinate

  4. (d)

    any non-zero number

Show model answer

Answer: (b) 000.

A point on the yyy-axis has no horizontal displacement from the origin, so its xxx-coordinate (abscissa) is 000. Such a point is of the form (0,y)(0, y)(0, y).

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Q3MCQModerate1 mark

If the point P(a,b)P(a, b)P(a, b) lies in the fourth quadrant, then:

  1. (a)

    a>0, b>0a>0,\ b>0a>0, b>0

  2. (b)

    a<0, b>0a<0,\ b>0a<0, b>0

  3. (c)

    a>0, b<0a>0,\ b<0a>0, b<0

  4. (d)

    a<0, b<0a<0,\ b<0a<0, b<0

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Answer: (c) a>0, b<0a>0,\ b<0a>0, b<0.

In the fourth quadrant the abscissa is positive and the ordinate is negative, giving the sign pattern (+,−)(+,-)(+,-).

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Q4MCQEasy1 mark

The midpoint of the line segment joining A(2,−4)A(2,-4)A(2,-4) and B(6,8)B(6,8)B(6,8) is:

  1. (a)

    (4,2)(4,2)(4,2)

  2. (b)

    (8,4)(8,4)(8,4)

  3. (c)

    (2,6)(2,6)(2,6)

  4. (d)

    (4,6)(4,6)(4,6)

Show model answer

Answer: (a) (4,2)(4,2)(4,2). Midpoint =(x1+x22,y1+y22)=(2+62,−4+82)=(4,2)=\left(\dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2},\dfrac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)=\left(\dfrac{2+6}{2},\dfrac{-4+8}{2}\right)=(4,2)=((x₁+x₂)/2,(y₁+y₂)/2)=((2+6)/2,(-4+8)/2)=(4,2).

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Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)

Q5Assertion–ReasonModerate1 mark

Assertion (A): The point (0,−6)(0, -6)(0, -6) lies on the yyy-axis.

Reason (R): A point lies on the yyy-axis when its abscissa is 000.

  1. (a)

    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. (b)

    Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

  3. (c)

    A is true but R is false

  4. (d)

    A is false but R is true

Show model answer

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. The point (0,−6)(0,-6)(0,-6) has abscissa 000, which is exactly the condition for a point to lie on the yyy-axis.

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Very short answer questions (2 marks)

Q6Very ShortEasy2 marks

Write the coordinates of a point which is 555 units to the right of the origin on the xxx-axis, and a point which is 333 units below the origin on the yyy-axis.

Show model answer

A point 555 units to the right of the origin on the xxx-axis has ordinate 000, so it is (5,0)(5, 0)(5, 0).

A point 333 units below the origin on the yyy-axis has abscissa 000 and a negative ordinate, so it is (0,−3)(0, -3)(0, -3).

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Q7Very ShortModerate2 marks

In which quadrant or on which axis do each of the following points lie: A(2,3)A(2, 3)A(2, 3), B(−1,−4)B(-1, -4)B(-1, -4), C(6,0)C(6, 0)C(6, 0), D(−3,8)D(-3, 8)D(-3, 8)?

Show model answer

A(2,3)A(2,3)A(2,3): both coordinates positive (+,+)(+,+)(+,+) — Quadrant I.

B(−1,−4)B(-1,-4)B(-1,-4): both negative (−,−)(-,-)(-,-) — Quadrant III.

C(6,0)C(6,0)C(6,0): ordinate 000 — on the xxx-axis.

D(−3,8)D(-3,8)D(-3,8): signs (−,+)(-,+)(-,+) — Quadrant II.

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Short answer questions (3 marks)

Q8Short AnswerModerate3 marks

Plot the points A(2,3)A(2, 3)A(2, 3), B(−2,3)B(-2, 3)B(-2, 3), C(−2,−3)C(-2, -3)C(-2, -3) and D(2,−3)D(2, -3)D(2, -3) on a Cartesian plane and name the figure formed by joining them in order.

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The four points are one in each quadrant, symmetric about both axes.

CBSE Class 9 Maths — Orienting Yourself: The Use of Coordinates: Plot the points A(2, 3), B(-2, 3), C(-2, -3) and D(2, -3) on a Cartesian plane and name the figure formed by joinin

Joining A→B→C→D→AA\to B\to C\to D\to AA→ B→ C→ D→ A gives a rectangle (width 444 units along xxx, height 666 units along yyy). Since the sides are unequal it is a rectangle, not a square.

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Q9Short AnswerModerate3 marks

Find the distance between A(1,2)A(1,2)A(1,2) and B(4,6)B(4,6)B(4,6). Hence show that AAA, BBB and C(7,10)C(7,10)C(7,10) lie on a straight line.

Show model answer

Distance formula: AB=(x2−x1)2+(y2−y1)2AB=\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}AB=√((x₂-x₁)²+(y₂-y₁)²).

AB=(4−1)2+(6−2)2=9+16=5,BC=(7−4)2+(10−6)2=5,AC=(7−1)2+(10−2)2=100=10.AB=\sqrt{(4-1)^2+(6-2)^2}=\sqrt{9+16}=5,\quad BC=\sqrt{(7-4)^2+(10-6)^2}=5,\quad AC=\sqrt{(7-1)^2+(10-2)^2}=\sqrt{100}=10.AB=√((4-1)²+(6-2)²)=√(9+16)=5, BC=√((7-4)²+(10-6)²)=5, AC=√((7-1)²+(10-2)²)=√100=10.
Since AB+BC=5+5=10=ACAB+BC=5+5=10=ACAB+BC=5+5=10=AC, the three points lie on a straight line (BBB is in fact the midpoint of ACACAC).

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Q10Short AnswerHOTS3 marks

The points P(3,2)P(3, 2)P(3, 2), Q(3,5)Q(3, 5)Q(3, 5) and R(3,−1)R(3, -1)R(3, -1) are plotted on a plane. What do you observe about the line joining them? Also find the length QRQRQR.

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All three points have the same abscissa x=3x=3x=3, so they lie on a vertical line parallel to the yyy-axis, 333 units to the right of it.

Since the points are collinear on a vertical line, the distance between two of them equals the difference of their ordinates.

QR=∣5−(−1)∣=∣5+1∣=6QR = |5 - (-1)| = |5 + 1| = 6QR = |5 - (-1)| = |5 + 1| = 6 units.

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Long answer questions (5 marks)

Q11Long AnswerModerate5 marks

On a single Cartesian plane, plot the points A(0,0)A(0, 0)A(0, 0), B(4,0)B(4, 0)B(4, 0), C(4,3)C(4, 3)C(4, 3) and D(0,3)D(0, 3)D(0, 3). Join them in order and identify the figure. Find its perimeter and area (each grid unit = 111 cm).

Show model answer

Plotting: AAA at the origin, BBB on the positive xxx-axis, DDD on the positive yyy-axis, and CCC in Quadrant I.

CBSE Class 9 Maths — Orienting Yourself: The Use of Coordinates: On a single Cartesian plane, plot the points A(0, 0), B(4, 0), C(4, 3) and D(0, 3). Join them in order and identify

ABABAB is horizontal of length 444 cm; BCBCBC is vertical of length 333 cm; CD=4CD=4CD=4 cm and DA=3DA=3DA=3 cm. Opposite sides are equal and all angles are right angles, so ABCDABCDABCD is a rectangle.

Perimeter =2(l+b)=2(4+3)=14= 2(l+b) = 2(4+3) = 14= 2(l+b) = 2(4+3) = 14 cm.

Area =l×b=4×3=12 cm2= l\times b = 4\times 3 = 12\ \text{cm}^2= l× b = 4× 3 = 12 cm².

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Q12Long AnswerHOTS5 marks

Three vertices of a square PQRSPQRSPQRS are P(−2,−2)P(-2, -2)P(-2, -2), Q(3,−2)Q(3, -2)Q(3, -2) and R(3,3)R(3, 3)R(3, 3). Find the coordinates of the fourth vertex SSS, and hence the side length and area of the square.

Show model answer

Plot the given points. PQPQPQ is horizontal (y=−2y=-2y=-2) with length ∣3−(−2)∣=5|3-(-2)| = 5|3-(-2)| = 5 units. QRQRQR is vertical (x=3x=3x=3) with length ∣3−(−2)∣=5|3-(-2)| = 5|3-(-2)| = 5 units. So the side of the square is 555 units.

For PQRSPQRSPQRS taken in order, SSS must be directly above PPP and directly left of RRR. Thus SSS has the abscissa of PPP and the ordinate of RRR:

S=(−2, 3).S = (-2,\ 3).S = (-2, 3).

Check: RS=∣3−(−2)∣=5RS = |3-(-2)| = 5RS = |3-(-2)| = 5 and SP=∣3−(−2)∣=5SP = |3-(-2)| = 5SP = |3-(-2)| = 5 units, confirming all four sides equal.

Side =5= 5= 5 units, so Area =52=25= 5^2 = 25= 5² = 25 square units.

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Case-based questions (4 marks)

Q13Case-basedModerate4 marks

A city map is drawn on a coordinate grid where each unit represents 111 km. The School is at S(2,4)S(2, 4)S(2, 4), the Library at L(2,−3)L(2, -3)L(2, -3), the Park at P(−5,4)P(-5, 4)P(-5, 4) and the Hospital at H(0,0)H(0, 0)H(0, 0), which is the city centre (origin).

(i) In which quadrant does the Park lie?

(ii) Which two places lie on a vertical line (same abscissa)?

(iii) Find the straight-line distance, in km, from the Hospital to the School.

(iv) Which place is located at the origin?

Show model answer

(i) The Park P(−5,4)P(-5, 4)P(-5, 4) has signs (−,+)(-,+)(-,+), so it lies in Quadrant II.

(ii) The School S(2,4)S(2, 4)S(2, 4) and the Library L(2,−3)L(2, -3)L(2, -3) have the same abscissa x=2x=2x=2, so they lie on a vertical line parallel to the yyy-axis.

(iii) By the distance formula, HS=(2−0)2+(4−0)2=20=25≈4.47HS=\sqrt{(2-0)^2+(4-0)^2}=\sqrt{20}=2\sqrt5\approx4.47HS=√((2-0)²+(4-0)²)=√20=2√5≈4.47 km. (iv) The Hospital H(0,0)H(0, 0)H(0, 0) is located at the origin (the city centre).

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All CBSE Class 9 Maths Chapters

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Frequently asked questions

  • What questions come from Orienting Yourself: The Use of Coordinates in Class 9?
    Naming the quadrant or axis of a point, plotting points and naming the figure they form, the distance and midpoint formulas, and testing whether three points are collinear. This page has 13 such questions with answers, including a square with one missing vertex and a city-map case study.
  • How do you tell which quadrant a point lies in?
    Look at the signs: Quadrant I is (+,+)(+,+)(+,+), II is (−,+)(-,+)(-,+), III is (−,−)(-,-)(-,-) and IV is (+,−)(+,-)(+,-). So (−4,7)(-4,7)(-4,7) lies in Quadrant II. A point with y=0y=0y=0 lies on the xxx-axis and one with x=0x=0x=0 on the yyy-axis, so it is in no quadrant.
  • What are the abscissa and ordinate of a point?
    In (x,y)(x,y)(x,y) the abscissa is xxx, the horizontal distance from the yyy-axis, and the ordinate is yyy, the vertical distance from the xxx-axis. Order matters: (3,5)(3,5)(3,5) and (5,3)(5,3)(5,3) are different points. Every point on the yyy-axis has abscissa 000.
  • How do you show three points lie on a straight line using distances?
    Find all three distances; the points are collinear when the two shorter ones add up to the longest. For A(1,2)A(1,2)A(1,2), B(4,6)B(4,6)B(4,6) and C(7,10)C(7,10)C(7,10): AB=5AB=5AB=5, BC=5BC=5BC=5 and AC=10AC=10AC=10, and 5+5=105+5=105+5=10, so they lie on one line.
  • Which chapter comes after Orienting Yourself in the new CBSE Class 9 Maths book?
    Introduction to Linear Polynomials (Chapter 2) follows The Use of Coordinates (Chapter 1) in Ganita Manjari, and graphs of linear polynomials use the plotting skills from Chapter 1. Open the next chapter's important questions from the Class 9 Maths list on this site.
  • Is coordinate geometry in Class 9 the base for Class 10?
    Yes. The distance and midpoint formulas you meet here return in Class 10 Coordinate Geometry with the section formula, and plotting skills are needed for graphs of polynomials and linear equations. Getting signs right in each quadrant now saves marks later.
  • Can I download Class 9 coordinates questions with answers?
    Yes. Put your email into the free PDF box on this page and all 13 coordinate questions open as a printable worksheet with worked answers; save it as a PDF from the print dialog.

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