Which of the following lines do not contain coordinate points that are both negative?

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3008
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:19 am
Location: Grand Central / New York
Thanked: 470 times
Followed by:34 members
AAPL wrote:
Mon Apr 27, 2020 6:20 am
Magoosh

Which of the following lines do not contain coordinate points that are both negative?

A. y = x + 2
B. 3y = 4x - 2
C. x + y = 2
D. 3y - 4x = 2
E. x - y = 2

OA C
Let's plug-in the negative values of the coordinates and see which of the following straight line does have those.

Let's take each statement one by one.

A. y = x + 2

=> –|y| = –|x| + 2 => |x| – |y| = 2. This is possible. Not the correct answer.

B. 3y = 4x - 2

=> –|3y| = –|4x| – 2 => |4x| – |3y| = –2. This is possible. Not the correct answer.

C. x + y = 2

=> –|x| –|y| = 2. This is NOT possible as the addition of two negative values cannot be positive. Correct answer.

D. 3y - 4x = 2

Though we got the answer, let's see this option to better understand.

=> –|3y| + |4x| = 2. This is possible. Not the correct answer.

E. x - y = 2

=> –|x| + |y| = 2. This is possible. Not the correct answer.

The correct answer: C

Hope this helps!

-Jay
_________________
Manhattan Review GMAT Prep

Locations: Manhattan Review Chennai | Hyderabad | GRE Prep New Delhi | Tarnaka GRE Coaching | and many more...

Schedule your free consultation with an experienced GMAT Prep Advisor! Click here.

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 8086
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 43 times
Followed by:29 members
AAPL wrote:
Mon Apr 27, 2020 6:20 am
Magoosh

Which of the following lines do not contain coordinate points that are both negative?

A. y = x + 2
B. 3y = 4x - 2
C. x + y = 2
D. 3y - 4x = 2
E. x - y = 2

OA C
We see that if both values of x and y in the equation x + y = 2 are negative, the sum can never be 2. Therefore, x + y = 2 can’t contain coordinate points that are both negative.

Answer: C

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage