Experts pls help me with the conceptual understanding

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 8:15 pm

by balaze90 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:04 am
first of all, we have to deduce the equation of the line joining the two points.
y = mx + c

m = -1/3 => x + 3y = 60

Then, since the integer values of y which are lying on the line are 13,14,15,16 and 17.

Substitute each value of y in the equation to find if x is an integer. In all cases x is an integer. So there are 5 points on the line having x and y as integers.

User avatar
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

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:44 am
[email protected] wrote:How many points (x, y) lie on the line segment between (22, 12 2/3) and (7, 17 2/3) such that x and y are both integers?


[spoiler]Ans:5[/spoiler]
The equation of a line is as follows:
y = mx + b, where m is the slope, and b is the y-intercept.

Step 1: Determine the slope
m = (y₂ - y�)/(x₂ - x�) = (17 2/3 - 12 2/3)/(7 - 22) = 5/-15 = -1/3.
Thus far, the equation of the line is as follows:
y = (-1/3)x + b.

Step 2: To determine the y-intercept, plug in one of the two given points
Substituting (7, 17 2/3) into y = (-1/3)x + b, we get:
17 2/3 = (-1/3)(7) + b
53/3 = -7/3 + b
60/3 = b
b = 20.

Thus, the final equation of the line is as follows:
y = (-1/3)x + 20

For y to be an integer, x must be a multiple of 3.
List the multiples of 3 between the two given x-values (7 and 22):
9, 12, 15, 18, 21.
Total options = 5.
Last edited by GMATGuruNY on Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 8:15 pm

by balaze90 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:49 am
y = (-1/3)x + 60 .... here 20 should be present instead of 60 (b = 20)
GMATGuruNY wrote:
[email protected] wrote:How many points (x, y) lie on the line segment between (22, 12 2/3) and (7, 17 2/3) such that x and y are both integers?


[spoiler]Ans:5[/spoiler]
The equation of a line is as follows:
y = mx + b, where m is the slope, and b is the y-intercept.

Step 1: Determine the slope
m = (y₂ - y�)/(x₂ - x�) = (17 2/3 - 12 2/3)/(7 - 22) = 5/-15 = -1/3.
Thus far, the equation of the line is as follows:
y = (-1/3)x + b.

Step 2: To determine the y-intercept, plug in one of the two given points
Substituting (7, 17 2/3) into y = (-1/3)x + b, we get:
17 2/3 = (-1/3)(7) + b
53/3 = -7/3 + b
60/3 = b
b = 20.

Thus, the final equation of the line is as follows:
y = (-1/3)x + 60

For y to be an integer, x must be a multiple of 3.
List the multiples of 3 between the two given x-values (7 and 22):
9, 12, 15, 18, 21.
Total options = 5.

User avatar
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

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:54 am
balaze90 wrote:y = (-1/3)x + 60 .... here 20 should be present instead of 60 (b = 20)
Thanks for pointing out the typo, which I've corrected.
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