Some people may use anode and cathode interchangeably thinking that these two things are the same. The anode is the area wherein the electricity flows into while the cathode is the area wherein the electricity will flow out from the object. You can usually see anode and cathode end in batteries.
This explains why if the item needs more than one battery, the battery ends would need to be placed differently from each other even if the batteries are placed side by side. This will ensure that there will be enough electricity to help the electricity flow around and move around freely as long as there is enough energy available on the batteries.