Problem Solving

In a co-ordinate system ,if three points (5,3) (x,4)and (3,2)lie on the same line ,what is the value of the x ?

We can use the two known points to find the slope of the line:

=(y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)
=(3 - 2)/(5 - 3)
=1/2

In other words, we move up 1 unit for every 2 units we move right.

Since (x,4) is one unit up from (5, 3), x must be 2 units to the right of 5, which gives us a value of 7.

if (5,3), (x,4) and (3,2) lie on the same line, they are collinear.
This means that the slope of any 2 points taken should be the same.

1)(5,3) and (x,4)
slope = (4-3)/(x-5)

2) (5,3) and (3,2)
slope = (2-3)/(3-5)

Now, equating both the slopes


1/(x-5) = -1/-2
==> 1/(x-5) = 1/2
since the numerators are equal, we can equate the denominators.

So, x-5 = 2
==> x = 7

As mentioned by Bill and gmatmath, Slope formula works best.

But here is something I do,
if I have no clue,
how to do - ah it rhymes!
(Not only to solve this problem, but to solve any geometry problem). We all know that the erase pad provided in the GMAT exam centre contains grids. So, I use the grid lines to draw a Cartesian coordinate system and plot the points in the system. For example, in the question above, I plotted the points (5,3) and (3,2). I, then extended the line segment to meet the line y = 4 at (7,4). and the rest...

p.s: Use this as the last resort[/i}
The attachment is self-explanatory.