Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w

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Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w [#permalink]

09 Nov 2012, 21:49

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Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x will y < 0?

(1) b = 3

(2) a < 0

[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

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Re: Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w [#permalink]

09 Nov 2012, 22:12

Archit143 wrote:

Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x will y < 0?

(1) b = 3

(2) a < 0

1) y = ax + 3. y will be less than 0 for all ax < -3. Insufficent.

2) Clearly insufficient. Even if we assign one value to a(which itself is uncertain), x and b can still take several values. y = -x+b. Insufficient

1 & 2 together. y = ax + 3 and a is negative. x can take values of several +ve numbers whose range cannot be determined without knowing value of a. Insufficient. Answer is E.

Doubt if this is a 700 level question.

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Re: Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w [#permalink]

13 May 2013, 20:10

Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x will y < 0?

(1) b = 3

(2) a < 0

Looking at a high level, it's a linear equation and any linear eqn has infinite solutions. If i am running out of time, a cursory look at the question will tell me that even if i know the line equation , i can't find all the solutions. I will mark E in less than 30 sec and move on.

Remember the equation of a slope point form. y=mx+c.

1)gives us the y intercept, but we don't know the slope so can't say anything.
2)this tells us that the slope is negative. Not much help.

1+2 -> Still doesn't give equation of a line. Note that even if we have the equation, we can't possibly give all the values of x .-> E.

Re: Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w [#permalink] 13 May 2013, 20:10

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Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w

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Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w

Given the linear equation y = ax + b, for what values of x w

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