BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Coordinate Geo !!! - C

Expert replies
by tanyajoseph » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:51 pm
My biggest nightmares:( Any help is lot appreciated.

In the xy plane, at what two points does the graph of y = (x+a)(x+b) intersect the x axis?

1) a+b = -1
2) The graph intersects the y axis at (0,-6)
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by TT » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:34 pm
I think the answer is B.
Join the discussion

by bacardi_blast » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:27 pm
The line equation y = (x+a)(x+b) can be written as
Y= X^2 + (a+b)x + ab

From statement 1,
Y= X^2 -x + ab
Not sufficient ,rule out option and d
From statement 2,
-6 = 0^2 + (a+b) 0 + ab
=> ab = -6
Substitution this value in the original equation
Y = X^2 + (a+b)X - 6
Not sufficient,rule out b
Combining 1 & 2,
Y = X^2 -X - 6 ( statement 1 gives you a+b = -1 and statement 2 give ab =-6)
The line will intersect in x axis only when the y coordinate is 0, therefore the equation can be written as
0 = X^2-X-6, solving this equation will give the intersectino points
Therefore 'C' shud be the answer..
Join the discussion