Hi Sanjeev,

I think that this question has a typo in it. Two of the three points on the line are defined as (a,4) and (a,b+1), but since the x-coordinate is the same, then you either don't have a line or you don't have 2 different coordinates. If you can double-check and update this question, then I'll be happy to help you solve it.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi Sanjeev,

I don't own that book, but I can still offer a suggestion. Check the wording in the explanation; it's unlikely that a typo would show up in both spots. If that doesn't work, then post in the Veritas Forum (on this site); someone from that company should be able to address the issue.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Sanjeev k Sexena wrote:In an xy-coordinate plane, a line is defined by y = kx + 1. If (4, b), (a, 4), and (a, b
+1) are three points on the line, where a and b are unknown, then k = ?

(A) 1/2

(B) 1

(C) 1(1/2) Mixed number

(D) 2

(E) 2(1/2) Mixed number

There's a HUGE CLUE in the fact that (a, 4) and (a, b+1) are both on the same line. Notice that the x-coordinates are the same. If the x-coordinates are the same, then there are two possible scenarios:
scenario #1: The points (a, 4) and (a, b+1) are DIFFERENT points, in which case the line is vertical (with undefined slope)
scenario #2: The points (a, 4) and (a, b+1) define the SAME point

IMPORTANT: If a line is defined by y = kx + 1, then k represents the slope. So, the question is really asking us to find the slope of the line.

In scenario #1, the slope would be undefined. Since none of the answer choices are undefined, we can rule out scenario #1, which means (a, 4) and (a, b+1) define the SAME point. So, we can be certain that b+1 = 4, which means b = 3

Now that we know that b = 3, we can use the fact that the point (4,b) is on the line.
This means that the point (4,3) is on the line y = kx + 1.
When we plug x=4 and y=3 into the equation, we get 3 = (k)(4) + 1
Solve to get k = 1/2

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent