If the radius of a circle that centers at origin is 5. How many points on the circle have integer coordinates?
a.4
b.8
c.12
d.16
e.20
a.4
b.8
c.12
d.16
e.20
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
RedeemTarget Test Prep · GMAT
Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

with Chris Peckover

with Logan Thompson
Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.
Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.
i supposed that the answer is E becausevaibhavjha wrote:If the radius of a circle that centers at origin is 5. How many points on the circle have integer coordinates?
a.4
b.8
c.12
d.16
e.20
there will be 12 coordinates in all,vaibhavjha wrote:If the radius of a circle that centers at origin is 5. How many points on the circle have integer coordinates?
a.4
b.8
c.12
d.16
e.20
It seems to me that the "issue" here is to EASILY guarantee that we are not missing any (x,y) point with integer coordinates such that x^2 + y^2 = 25, right?vaibhavjha wrote:If the radius of a circle that centers at origin is 5. How many points on the circle have integer coordinates?
a.4
b.8
c.12
d.16
e.20
I was wondering why with this question do we square both the x and y coordinate. I understand the fact that all 5,0 combinations are points on the circle and understand that if 5 squared = 25 then all combinations where the sum of the two squared coordinated equals 25 would also be on the circle. I am just not clear as to why you square the x,y coordinates in the first place.Rahul@gurome wrote:Let any point on the circle be denoted by (x,y).
Since centre of the circle is origin (0, 0) and radius is 5, we get that x^2 + y^2 = 5^2 = 25.
So the possible values of (x, y) are (3, 4), (3, -4), (-3, 4), (-3, -4), (4, 3), (4, -3), (-4, 3), (-4, -3), (5, 0), (-5, 0), (0, 5), (0, -5) where x and y can be integers only.
There are in total 12 points.
The correct answer is c.
The reason we are squaring is because if there is such a point with integer coordinates on the circle, supposedly (x,y), they should be at a distance of the radius (5) from the origin. And, since the formula for distance between two points is:Zerks87 wrote:I was wondering why with this question do we square both the x and y coordinate. I understand the fact that all 5,0 combinations are points on the circle and understand that if 5 squared = 25 then all combinations where the sum of the two squared coordinated equals 25 would also be on the circle. I am just not clear as to why you square the x,y coordinates in the first place.Rahul@gurome wrote:Let any point on the circle be denoted by (x,y).
Since centre of the circle is origin (0, 0) and radius is 5, we get that x^2 + y^2 = 5^2 = 25.
So the possible values of (x, y) are (3, 4), (3, -4), (-3, 4), (-3, -4), (4, 3), (4, -3), (-4, 3), (-4, -3), (5, 0), (-5, 0), (0, 5), (0, -5) where x and y can be integers only.
There are in total 12 points.
The correct answer is c.
New here Create free account