Find the equation of the line
This topic has expert replies
- Patrick_GMATFix
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1052
- Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 1:30 am
- Thanked: 335 times
- Followed by:98 members
Equation of the line is y=mx+b where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In this case, the slope (change in y / change in x) is -2/3 (calculated from the two known points). The y-intercept (where the line crosses the y-axis is 2. So the equation of the line is y = (-2/3)x + 2. Manipulate it to put x's and y's on the same side and you'll get 2x+3y = 6.
The answer is C. I go through the question in detail in the full solution below (taken from the GMATFix App).
-Patrick
The answer is C. I go through the question in detail in the full solution below (taken from the GMATFix App).
-Patrick
- Check out my site: GMATFix.com
- To prep my students I use this tool >> (screenshots, video)
- Ask me about tutoring.
- GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
An alternate approach is to PLUG IN THE ANSWERS.GmatGreen wrote:
In the coordinate system above, which of the following is the equation of line l?
A) 2x - 3y = 6
B) 2x + 3y = 6
C) 3x + 2y = 6
D) 2x - 3y = -6
E) 3x - 2y = -6
The figure indicates that the following points are on line L: (0,2) and (3,0).
Since a line is defined by two points, only one answer choice can work for both (0,2) and (3,0).
Test (0,2) in the answer choices:
A) 2x - 3y = 6
2*0 - 3*2 = 6.
-6 = 6.
Doesn't work.
Eliminate A.
B) 2x + 3y = 6
2*0 + 3*2 = 6
6 = 6.
This works.
Since (0,2) works in B, test whether (3,0) also works in B:
2*3 + 3*0 = 6
6 = 6.
Success!
The correct answer is B.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Scott@TargetTestPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 7243
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Thanked: 43 times
- Followed by:29 members
We start by defining the equation of line l using the slope-intercept form of a line (y = mx + b), where m = slope and b = the y-intercept.GmatGreen wrote:
In the coordinate system above, which of the following is the equation of line l?
A) 2x - 3y = 6
B) 2x + 3y = 6
C) 3x + 2y = 6
D) 2x - 3y = -6
E) 3x - 2y = -6
Notice that the two points (0,2) and (3,0) are on line l. We can use these two points to determine the slope. The formula for slope is:
m = (change in y)/(change in x) or
m = (y_2 - y_1)/(x_2 - x_1)
Plugging in our points we have:
m = (0 - 2)/(3 - 0)
m = -2/3
We also see from the diagram that the y-intercept of line l is 2. Substituting the slope and the y-intercept into the line equation we have:
y = (-2/3)x + 2
The final step is to recognize that the answer choices are in a different form than is our equation for line l. Thus, we have to manipulate our equation such that it will match one of the answer choices. Let's first multiply the entire equation by 3. Doing so gives us:
3y = -2x + 6
Then add 2x to both sides of the equation:
2x + 3y = 6
Alternate solution:
To obtain an equation of a line, we can also use the two-intercept form of a line (x/a + y/b = 1) where a is the x-intercept and b is the y-intercept of the line. This is a lesser-known form of an equation of a line, but it comes in handy when we know or are given the x- and y-intercepts of the line. Here, we see that the x-intercept of the line is 3 and the y-intercept is 2. Thus the equation in the two-intercept form is:
x/3 + y/2 = 1
Multiply the entire equation by 6, and we have:
2x + 3y = 6.
The answer is B
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
-
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 518
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
- Thanked: 10 times
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Brent@GMATPrepNow
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 16207
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Thanked: 5254 times
- Followed by:1268 members
- GMAT Score:770
We can see that points (0,2) and (3,0) are ON THE LINE. So, their coordinates must SATISFY the equation of the line.GmatGreen wrote:
In the coordinate system above, which of the following is the equation of line l?
A) 2x - 3y = 6
B) 2x + 3y = 6
C) 3x + 2y = 6
D) 2x - 3y = -6
E) 3x - 2y = -6
Let's start with (0,2).
(A) 2x - 3y = 6. 2(0) - 3(2) = -6 ELIMINATE
(B) 2x + 3y = 6. 2(0) + 3(2) = 6 KEEP
(C) 3x + 2y = 6. 3(0) +2(2) = 4 ELIMINATE
(D) 2x - 3y = -6. 2(0) - 3(2) = -6 KEEP
(E) 3x - 2y = -6. 3(0) - 2(2) = -4 ELIMINATE
Great. We're down to B or D
Let's test (3,0).
(B) 2x + 3y = 6. 2(3) + 3(0) = 6 KEEP
(D) 2x - 3y = -6. 2(3) - 3(0) = 6 ELIMINATE
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent