In the xy-plane, the points (c, d), (c, -d), and (-c, -d) are three vertices of a certain square. If c < 0 and d > 0, which of the following points is in the same quadrant as the fourth vertex of the square?
A. (-5, -3)
B. (-5, 3)
C. (5, -3)
D. (3, -5)
E. (3, 5)
Target Test Prep is 20% off right now!
Use code FLASH20
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
Problem solving
This topic has expert replies
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
[email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi Newaz111,
This question really tests your attention-to-detail and organizational skills. If you "slip" a negative sign incorrectly, then you'll get the question wrong, thus a certain amount of note-taking is necessary.
We're told that C < 0 and D > 0, so let's start by TESTing VALUES....
IF.....
C = -2,
D = 2
The 3 co-ordinates that we're given will become...
(C,D) = (-2, 2) --> Quadrant 2
(C,-D) = (-2, -2) --> Quadrant 3
(-C,-D) = (2, -2) --> Quadrant 4
The last co-ordinate of the square will be in Quadrant 1, which means we need a POSITIVE X-co-ordinate and a POSITIVE Y-co-ordinate....
Final Answer: E
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
This question really tests your attention-to-detail and organizational skills. If you "slip" a negative sign incorrectly, then you'll get the question wrong, thus a certain amount of note-taking is necessary.
We're told that C < 0 and D > 0, so let's start by TESTing VALUES....
IF.....
C = -2,
D = 2
The 3 co-ordinates that we're given will become...
(C,D) = (-2, 2) --> Quadrant 2
(C,-D) = (-2, -2) --> Quadrant 3
(-C,-D) = (2, -2) --> Quadrant 4
The last co-ordinate of the square will be in Quadrant 1, which means we need a POSITIVE X-co-ordinate and a POSITIVE Y-co-ordinate....
Final Answer: E
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
-
VivianKerr
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:13 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Thanked: 474 times
- Followed by:365 members
It might help you to visualize by drawing the vertices of the square.
Remember this rule on the GMAT: you are given limitations on variables for a reason.
Why would they tell us that c < 0 and d > 0? It must matter somehow.
If c is always negative, then (c, d) will become (-c, d), since a positive number multiplied by a negative number is always negative. The "d" will not be affected, since a positive multiplied by a positive is always positive.
By the same line of thinking:
(c, -d) = (-c, -d)
(-c, -d) = (c, -d)
Let's plot (-c, d), (-c, -d), and (c, -d) on the coordinate grid, and it will be easy to see the missing quadrant.
The first quadrant, in which "c" and "d" are positive, is missing. Look for an answer choice with a positive value for both x and y. It must be [spoiler](E)[/spoiler].
Remember this rule on the GMAT: you are given limitations on variables for a reason.
Why would they tell us that c < 0 and d > 0? It must matter somehow.
If c is always negative, then (c, d) will become (-c, d), since a positive number multiplied by a negative number is always negative. The "d" will not be affected, since a positive multiplied by a positive is always positive.
By the same line of thinking:
(c, -d) = (-c, -d)
(-c, -d) = (c, -d)
Let's plot (-c, d), (-c, -d), and (c, -d) on the coordinate grid, and it will be easy to see the missing quadrant.
The first quadrant, in which "c" and "d" are positive, is missing. Look for an answer choice with a positive value for both x and y. It must be [spoiler](E)[/spoiler].
Vivian Kerr
GMAT Rockstar, Tutor
https://www.GMATrockstar.com
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gmat-rockstar-los-angeles
Former Kaplan and Grockit instructor, freelance GMAT content creator, now offering affordable, effective, Skype-tutoring for the GMAT at $150/hr. Contact: [email protected]
Thank you for all the "thanks" and "follows"!
GMAT Rockstar, Tutor
https://www.GMATrockstar.com
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gmat-rockstar-los-angeles
Former Kaplan and Grockit instructor, freelance GMAT content creator, now offering affordable, effective, Skype-tutoring for the GMAT at $150/hr. Contact: [email protected]
Thank you for all the "thanks" and "follows"!
