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# In the rectangular coordinate system, are the points (a, b)

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In the rectangular coordinate system, are the points (a, b) [#permalink]  17 Aug 2011, 10:42
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Difficulty:

55% (hard)

Question Stats:

58% (02:39) correct 42% (01:19) wrong based on 67 sessions
In the rectangular coordinate system, are the points (a, b) and (c, d) equidistant from the origin?

(1) a/b = c/d

(2) sqrt(a^2)+sqrt(b^2) =sqrt(c^2) +sqrt(d^2)

OA follows..

OA is C.

I have seen a couple of nice approaches on number plugging, but just checking if there are any other innovative ideas to think conceptually on this. I myself tried algebra...then tried to switch mid-way to plugging and messed it on time...

So pointers on CONCEPT, GUESSING, TAKEAWAYS on how to recognize what approach to adopt,,... all welcome.

Thank you

OPEN DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION IS HERE: in-the-rectangular-coordinate-system-are-the-points-a-b-92533.html

TOPIC IS LOCKED.
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by Bunuel on 07 Apr 2012, 07:28, edited 1 time in total.
Topic is locked
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Re: Toughie from MGMAT - looking for creative and different [#permalink]  07 Apr 2012, 07:19
1
KUDOS
IMO B......

bunnel request your explanation why b alone can't be sufficient......
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Re: Guaranteed Toughie 700+ - looking for creative ideas ways.. [#permalink]  18 Aug 2011, 06:23
mokap25 wrote:
Toughie from MGMAT - looking for creative and different approaches to approach this problem.

In the rectangular coordinate system, are the points (a, b) and (c, d) equidistant from the origin?

(1) a/b = c/d

(2)sqrt(a^2)+sqrt(b^2) =sqrt(c^2) +sqrt(d^2)

Not too difficult I think.

(1) A/B = C/D tells us that a/b & c/d are proportionally the same. Take an example of a/b = 1/2 and c/d = -4/-8 to understand it is not sufficient.

Now (2) is basically saying the absolute value of the sum is the same for both points. Of course this could be true with (2,2) and (4,0) which are not the same distance from the origin.

(1)+(2) Now if you just think about it, two points that have the same ratio, and the same absolute sum must be the same distance from the origin.
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Re: Guaranteed Toughie 700+ - looking for creative ideas ways.. [#permalink]  18 Aug 2011, 16:33
mokap25 wrote:
Toughie from MGMAT - looking for creative and different approaches to approach this problem.

In the rectangular coordinate system, are the points (a, b) and (c, d) equidistant from the origin?

(1) a/b = c/d

(2)sqrt(a^2)+sqrt(b^2) =sqrt(c^2) +sqrt(d^2)

OA follows..

OA is C.

I have seen a couple of nice approaches on number plugging, but just checking if there are any other innovative ideas to think conceptually on this. I myself tried algebra...then tried to switch mid-way to plugging and messed it on time...

So pointers on CONCEPT, GUESSING, TAKEAWAYS on how to recognize what approach to adopt,,... all welcome.

Thank you

Statement 1 says only about the ratio (a/b = c/d) of the coordinates of the points (a, b) and (c, d).
If a = 3 and b = 1, a/b = 3.
c/d could be three in many ways...That's clearly not sufficient..

Statement 2:
sqrt(a^2)+sqrt(b^2) =sqrt(c^2) +sqrt(d^2)
i.e. a+b = c+d.

This is possible in many ways. This is also not sufficient..

Statements 1 and 2: I wonder how to solve algebraically!

a/b = c/d ........................(i)
a + b = c + d ....................(ii)

suppose a/b = c/d = 3
a = 3b
c = 3d

3b + b = 3d + d ....................(iii)
4b = 4d
b = d

If b = d, a has to be equal to c. If so, coordinates points (a, b) and (c, d) are in equi-distance from the origin...

C.
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Re: Toughie from MGMAT - looking for creative and different [#permalink]  07 Apr 2012, 07:26
Expert's post
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This post was
BOOKMARKED
vdbhamare wrote:
IMO B......

bunnel request your explanation why b alone can't be sufficient......

In the rectangular coordinate system, are the points (a, b) and (c, d) equidistant from the origin?

Distance between the point A (x,y) and the origin can be found by the formula: $$D=\sqrt{x^2+y^2}$$.

So we are asked whether $$\sqrt{a^2+b^2}=\sqrt{c^2+d^2}$$? Or whether $$a^2+b^2=c^2+d^2$$?

(1) $$\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}$$ --> $$a=cx$$ and $$b=dx$$, for some non-zero $$x$$. Not sufficient.

(2) $$\sqrt{a^2}+\sqrt{b^2}=\sqrt{c^2} +\sqrt{d^2}$$ --> $$|a|+|b|=|c|+|d|$$. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) From (1) $$a=cx$$ and $$b=dx$$, substitute this in (2): $$|cx|+|dx|=|c|+|d|$$ --> $$|x|(|c|+|d|)=|c|+|d|$$ --> $$|x|=1$$ (another solution $$|c|+|d|=0$$ is not possible as $$d$$ in (1) given in denominator and can not be zero, so $$d\neq{0}$$ --> $$|c|+|d|>0$$) --> now, as $$|x|=1$$ and $$a=cx$$ and $$b=dx$$, then $$|a|=|c|$$ and $$|b|=|d|$$ --> square this equations: $$a^2=c^2$$ and $$b^2=d^2$$ --> add them: $$a^2+b^2=c^2+d^2$$. Sufficient.

IN CASE OF ANY QUESTION PLEASE POST IT HERE: in-the-rectangular-coordinate-system-are-the-points-a-b-92533.html
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Re: Toughie from MGMAT - looking for creative and different   [#permalink] 07 Apr 2012, 07:26
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