Problem solving

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Problem solving

by Newaz111 » Mon May 04, 2015 4:30 am
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)

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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon May 04, 2015 7:14 am
Newaz111 wrote: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)
IMPORTANT: c < 0 and d > 0
In other words, c is NEGATIVE and d is POSITIVE

Let's examine each of the three given vertices:

(c, d): So, we get (NEGATIVE, POSITIVE). This vertex is in quadrant II
(c, -d): So, we get (NEGATIVE, -POSITIVE), which simplifies to (NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE). This vertex is in quadrant III
(-c, -d): So, we get (-NEGATIVE, -POSITIVE), which simplifies to (POSITIVE, NEGATIVE). This vertex is in quadrant IV

So, the last vertex must be in quadrant I
Only (3, 5) is in quadrant I

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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