[email protected] wrote:A circle with a diameter 10 is centered on the origin, which of the following points are on the circle
a)(5,0)
b)(5,5)
c)(-3,4)
d) (1,-2sqrt6)
e) (-2, sqrt6)
I think you mean "sqrt" (not "underroot")
I have edited the question accordingly.
NOTE: This question is un-GMAT-like because it allows for more than 1 correct answer. That said, it could
possibly appear in the IR section.
Okay, the first thing to recognize is that the circle has radius
5.
If a circle of radius is centered on the origin,
any point (x,y) on the circle must be such that x^2 + y^2 = 5^2. Here's why . . .
Let's take a point on the circle, say (-3, 4), notice that we can create a right triangle.

Since we have a right triangle, Pythagoras tells us that (-3)^2 + 4^2 =
5^2
In general,
any point (x,y) on the circle must be such that x^2 + y^2 =
5^2
Now we'll check the answer choices.
a)(5,0): does 5^2 + 0^2 =
5^2? YES! So, this point
is on the circle.
b)(5,5): does 5^2 + 5^2 =
5^2? NO So, this point is
not on the circle.
c)(-3,4): does (-3)^2 + 4^2 =
5^2? YES! So, this point
is on the circle.
d) (1,-2sqrt6): does 1^2 + (-2sqrt6)^2 =
5^2? YES! So, this point
is on the circle.
e) (-2, sqrt6): does (-2)^2 + (sqrt6)^2 =
5^2? NO So, this point is
not on the circle.
Answers: [spoiler]A, C & D[/spoiler]
Cheers,
Brent