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## Co-ordinate geometry

tagged by: Brent@GMATPrepNow

This topic has 4 expert replies and 6 member replies
DevB Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
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#### Co-ordinate geometry

Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:01 am
Hi All,

1. 1/2
2. 1
3. square root 2
4. square root 3
5. (square root 2)/ 2
Thanks!
Attachments

abhasjha Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
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Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:22 am
slope of PO = a/b
slope of QO = t/s
PO and QO is perpendicular so [a/b]*[t/s]=-1, so t/s = -b/a
In this case, b = âˆš3, a = -1 , so t/s = [-âˆš3]/[-1] = âˆš3/1, so s =1

Alternatively

from the figure we can see that OP=OQ = radius of the semicircle. Also Angle POQ = 90degree

thus PQ^2 = OP^2 + OQ^2-------eqn1

using distance formula (O is origin)
OP = sqrt [(1-0)^2 + (sqrt -3 -0)^2] = sqrt [4] = 2 = OQ

also OQ = sqrt [ (s-0)^2 + (t-0)^2] = sqrt[s^2 + t^2]
OQ^2 = s^2+t^2 =4 ----eqn2

now PQ = 2sqrt 2 when we put values of OP and OQ in eqn 1

using distance formula length of PQ = sqrt [ (s+ sqrt3)^2 + (t-1)^2]
PQ^2 = (s+sqrt3)^2 + (t-1)^2 = 8--------eqn3

soving eqn 2 and 3 we get sqrt 3 s = t.Equating this in eqn 2 we get s=1

DevB Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
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Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:35 am
Thanks a lot Abhas for the both the explanations!!

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Brent@GMATPrepNow GMAT Instructor
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Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:38 am
Quote:

In the figure above, points P and Q lie on the circle with center O. What is the value of S?

a) 1/2
b) 1
c) âˆš2
d) âˆš3
e) (âˆš2)/2
Here's one approach:

So, s = 1

Cheers,
Brent

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Last edited by Brent@GMATPrepNow on Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:34 pm; edited 1 time in total

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DevB Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
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Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:42 am
This is also a very nice approach Brent...Thanks a lot!!

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Rich.C@EMPOWERgmat.com Elite Legendary Member
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Fri Jul 25, 2014 11:42 am
Hi DevB,

When dealing with geometry/graphing questions, there are certain patterns you should be on the lookout for:

1) A diagonal line on a graph IS the hypotenuse of a right triangle. You can draw that triangle and figure out its base and height. From there, you have a variety of triangle formulas that might be helpful involving the question.

2) The GMAT has a variety of standard formulas and patterns that it will test you on. When you come across a triangle, chances are it fits some type of pattern. Look to use the Pythagorean Theorem, and look for the special right triangles (30/60/90, 45/45/90, 3/4/5, 5/12/13).

3) Weird numbers almost always point to a pattern. Notice the (root3) in this question? I wonder what that might refer to in a right triangleâ€¦.?

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Gurpreet singh Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
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Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:21 pm

In this case, b = âˆš3, a = -1

abhasjha wrote:
slope of PO = a/b
slope of QO = t/s
PO and QO is perpendicular so [a/b]*[t/s]=-1, so t/s = -b/a
In this case, b = âˆš3, a = -1 , so t/s = [-âˆš3]/[-1] = âˆš3/1, so s =1

Alternatively

from the figure we can see that OP=OQ = radius of the semicircle. Also Angle POQ = 90degree

thus PQ^2 = OP^2 + OQ^2-------eqn1

using distance formula (O is origin)
OP = sqrt [(1-0)^2 + (sqrt -3 -0)^2] = sqrt [4] = 2 = OQ

also OQ = sqrt [ (s-0)^2 + (t-0)^2] = sqrt[s^2 + t^2]
OQ^2 = s^2+t^2 =4 ----eqn2

now PQ = 2sqrt 2 when we put values of OP and OQ in eqn 1

using distance formula length of PQ = sqrt [ (s+ sqrt3)^2 + (t-1)^2]
PQ^2 = (s+sqrt3)^2 + (t-1)^2 = 8--------eqn3

soving eqn 2 and 3 we get sqrt 3 s = t.Equating this in eqn 2 we get s=1

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Matt@VeritasPrep GMAT Instructor
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Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:13 pm
Gurpreet singh wrote:

In this case, b = âˆš3, a = -1
He's using similar triangles here. Each triangle has sides of length 1 and âˆš3, which, applied to coordinate plane, gives (-âˆš3, 1) for the first and (1, âˆš3) for the second.

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Zoser Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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Thu Mar 09, 2017 9:41 am
Quote:
Here's one approach:
H Brent,

Can you explain why you assumed in your solution that the second triangle is 30:60:90? like the traingle on the left?

I know the r=2 but this does not mean that the second triangle is the same as the triangle to the left.

Wham am I missing here?

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GMATGuruNY GMAT Instructor
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Thu Mar 09, 2017 9:51 am
Zoser wrote:
Quote:
Here's one approach:
H Brent,

Can you explain why you assumed in your solution that the second triangle is 30:60:90? like the traingle on the left?

I know the r=2 but this does not mean that the second triangle is the same as the triangle to the left.

Wham am I missing here?
The three angles along the x-axis must sum to 180.
In Brent's solution, the leftmost angle along the x-axis = 30.
The figure indicates that the middle angle along the x-axis = 90.
Thus, the rightmost angle along the x-axis = 180-30-90 = 60.
Result:
The triangle on the right is also a 30-60-90 triangle.

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Zoser Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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Thu Mar 09, 2017 10:12 am
Quote:
The three angles along the x-axis must sum to 180.
In Brent's solution, the leftmost angle along the x-axis = 30.
The figure indicates that the middle angle along the x-axis = 90.
Thus, the rightmost angle along the x-axis = 180-30-90 = 60.
Result:
The triangle on the right is also a 30-60-90 triangle.
I dont know why I keep missing those basic concepts while answering Gmat questions! Even though, I know them but they just do not come accross my mind while solving the question!

Many thanks!

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