Find all School-related info fast with the new School-Specific MBA Forum

It is currently 19 May 2013, 05:56
Customize  |  Hide

Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. When line a is

  Question banks Downloads My Bookmarks Reviews  
Author Message
TAGS:
Manager
Manager
User avatar
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
Posts: 179
Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 21 [0], given: 31

GMAT Tests User
Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. When line a is [#permalink] New post 20 Mar 2011, 17:15
00:00

Question Stats:

25% (01:49) correct 74% (01:00) wrong based on 1 sessions
Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. When line a is reflected around the y-axis, is its reflection parallel to line b?

(1) Line a is perpendicular to line b.

(2) The slope of line b > 0.
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

_________________

Consider me giving KUDOS, if you find my post helpful.
If at first you don't succeed, you're running about average. ~Anonymous

4 KUDOS received
Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 3104
Location: Pune, India
Followers: 567

Kudos [?]: 1994 [4] , given: 92

Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 23 Mar 2011, 05:53
4
This post received
KUDOS
Upon request, I am providing the solution of the question above:
I will provide a graphical approach since that is what I favor always but later will give an algebraic approach too...

The two diagrams below illustrate the case where we take both statements together. In one case, reflection of a is not parallel to b and in the other reflection of a is parallel to b. Hence even with both statements we cannot say whether reflection of a is parallel to b. Answer (E).

Attachment:
Ques2.jpg
Ques2.jpg [ 23.2 KiB | Viewed 1384 times ]


If a and b make 45 degrees angle with the y axis (as shown, technically I will not say that they are both making 45 degrees angle with y axis but let's not worry about it here), when a is reflected along y axis, its angle with y axis is still 45. In this case a and b are parallel.

Algebraic approach:
A line is defined by 2 things - its slope and y intercept. When we reflect a line along the y axis, its slope flips sign but y intercept remains unchanged.
For more on this: http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2010/12 ... he-graphs/
Now,
a -> y = mx + c
b -> y = nx + d
Reflected a -> y = -mx + c
Ques: Is -m = n? (Parallel lines have the same slope.)

Stmnt 1: mn = -1
m = -1/n.
If m = 1 and n = -1, -m is equal to n
If m = -1 and n = 1, -m is equal to n
If m = -1/2 and n = 2, -m is not equal to n
Not sufficient.

Stmnt 2: n>0
If m = -1 and n = 1, -m is equal to n
If m = -1/2 and n = 2, -m is not equal to n
Not sufficient.

Taking both together,
If m = -1 and n = 1, -m is equal to n
If m = -1/2 and n = 2, -m is not equal to n
Not sufficient. Answer (E).
_________________

Karishma
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor
My Blog

Save 10% on Veritas Prep GMAT Courses And Admissions Consulting
Enroll now. Pay later. Take advantage of Veritas Prep's flexible payment plan options.

Veritas Prep Reviews

SVP
SVP
User avatar
Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Posts: 1719
Location: United States (IN)
Concentration: Strategy, Technology
Followers: 26

Kudos [?]: 227 [0], given: 34

GMAT Tests User Reviews Badge
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 20 Mar 2011, 21:47
The answer is E, a graph can be drawn to visualize this.
_________________

Formula of Life -> Achievement/Potential = k * Happiness (where k is a constant)

Find out what's new at GMAT Club - latest features and updates

Director
Director
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 944
Followers: 9

Kudos [?]: 137 [0], given: 121

Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 20 Mar 2011, 22:57
S1 insufficient
Y axis has no reflection about y axis. Assume line a= y axis. The answer is NO

If line a has slope -1. Slop of b is 1. Reflection of line a about y axis is parallel to line b. The answer is YES

S2 insufficient.
Slope of line a is unknown

1) + 2) sufficient
Since b>0 the line b cannot be x axis. Line a cannot be y axis - a is perpendicular to b. That means when a has reflection about y axis it is parallel to b. The answer to the question is YES

Posted from my mobile device Image
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 944
Followers: 9

Kudos [?]: 137 [0], given: 121

Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 20 Mar 2011, 23:09
But my initial guess was A alone sine we know that line a and line b have known and "different y intercepts". This precludes a from being the y axis . So I have two answers a or c. My bet 50/50 on both :-) tough one!

Posted from my mobile device Image
Manager
Manager
User avatar
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
Posts: 179
Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 21 [0], given: 31

GMAT Tests User
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 16:34
But according to the 'bagrettin' explanation to my previous question:
a --- y = mx + b
b --- y = (-1/m)x + b
Reflection of line a --- x = ym + c ( shouldn't we flip x and y values to find reflection?)
Y = (1/m) x - ( c/ m )
So now slope of line b is (-1/m) & slope of reflected line is (1/m)
It looks like they will never be parallel because if one is + ve another is - ve.
Help me ? I don't know whether we should proceed this way or not.
_________________

Consider me giving KUDOS, if you find my post helpful.
If at first you don't succeed, you're running about average. ~Anonymous

Director
Director
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 944
Followers: 9

Kudos [?]: 137 [0], given: 121

Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 20:55
Hello bhandariavi
x coordinate flips sign due to reflection about y axis. Draw two perpendicular lines in any quadrant and you will see that reflection of line a (whose slope -1) Reflected line will have slope = 1 is parallel to line b (slope 1) - ( knowing that line a is perpendicular to b) Visualize the problem that is easier than algebra :-) or you can request bagrettin for algebraic solution. Cheers

Posted from my mobile device Image
Manager
Manager
Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 183
Followers: 3

Kudos [?]: 12 [0], given: 8

GMAT Tests User
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 21:22
bhandariavi wrote:
But according to the 'bagrettin' explanation to my previous question:
a --- y = mx + b
b --- y = (-1/m)x + b
Reflection of line a --- x = ym + c ( shouldn't we flip x and y values to find reflection?)
Y = (1/m) x - ( c/ m )
So now slope of line b is (-1/m) & slope of reflected line is (1/m)
It looks like they will never be parallel because if one is + ve another is - ve.
Help me ? I don't know whether we should proceed this way or not.


bhandariavi,
For reflection on y- axis you don't have to flip x and y values .Just negate x-coordinate
The reflection of the point (x, y) across the y-axis is the point (-x, y).
The reflection of the point (x, y) across the line y = x is the point (y, x).
The reflection of the point (x, y) across the line y = -x is the point (-y, -x).
The reflection of the point (x, y) across the x-axis is the point (x, -y).
Manager
Manager
Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 183
Followers: 3

Kudos [?]: 12 [0], given: 8

GMAT Tests User
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 21:35
subhashghosh wrote:
The answer is E, a graph can be drawn to visualize this.

a --- y = mx + b
b --- y = (m1)x + b
Reflection of line a --- y = -mx + c (Reflection over Y-axis)
we got to find if (-m)= (m1)

Statement A : m *m1=-1..
m=-1/m1
M1=-1 AND M=1, 1=1 no
M1=1 AND M=1, -1=1 yes
So InSufficient...

Statement B b>0... Insufficient...

So It should be E....
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 944
Followers: 9

Kudos [?]: 137 [0], given: 121

Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 22:07
Hello onell
Due to reflection about y axis Not only the x flips sign but the slope of the line "also" flips sign. I believe your equation did not account for slope change. Pls correct me if this not true.

Posted from my mobile device Image
Manager
Manager
Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 183
Followers: 3

Kudos [?]: 12 [0], given: 8

GMAT Tests User
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 22:32
gmat1220 wrote:
Hello onell
Due to reflection about y axis Not only the x flips sign but the slope of the line "also" flips sign. I believe your equation did not account for slope change. Pls correct me if this not true.

Posted from my mobile device Image


If it flips the sign of x coordinate and changes the sign of a slope : You will get a original line
Consider a line passes through (x ,y)
y = mx + b

Upon reflection it passes through (-x ,y) and changes slope to -m (As you have written)
y = -m (-x) + c
y=mx +c (Equation of a original line)
Am I missing sth ?
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 944
Followers: 9

Kudos [?]: 137 [0], given: 121

Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 22:44
Hello onell
Strange! Let me try will coordinates. Let's say line a (slope 1) passes through (2,3) and upon reflection passes through (-2,3) slope=-1
Equation of line a (slope 1) is
(y-3)/(x-2) =1
y-3 =x-2
y=x+1 -----------(1)


The equation of the reflected line (slope -1) is
(y-3)/[x-(-2)]=-1
y-3=-1(x+2)
y-3 = -x - 2
y = -x + 1 ----------(2)

Two different equations. The slope of the line b which is perpendicular to a is -1. The slope of the reflected line is also -1. Hence E cannot be the answer.



Posted from my mobile device Image

Last edited by gmat1220 on 22 Mar 2011, 04:40, edited 1 time in total.
Manager
Manager
Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 183
Followers: 3

Kudos [?]: 12 [0], given: 8

GMAT Tests User
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 21 Mar 2011, 23:01
gmat1220 wrote:
Hello onell
Strange! Let me try will coordinates. Let's say line a (slope 1) passes through (2,3) and upon reflection passes through (-2,3) slope=-1
Equation of line a is
Y-2/(x-3) =1
Y-2 =x-3
Y=x-1

The equation of the reflected line is
Y-(-2)/(x-3)=-1
y+2=-x+3
y=-x+1=1-x

Posted from my mobile device Image


Strange Indeed. However if you substitute (2,3) and slope 1 and(-2,3) and slope -1 for reflected line in equation y=mx+c . You get the same equation for both the line..
Bunuel, Please help....
Manager
Manager
User avatar
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
Posts: 179
Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 21 [0], given: 31

GMAT Tests User
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 22 Mar 2011, 09:13
Where is Bunuel? Plz help us!
_________________

Consider me giving KUDOS, if you find my post helpful.
If at first you don't succeed, you're running about average. ~Anonymous

Director
Director
Joined: 03 Feb 2011
Posts: 944
Followers: 9

Kudos [?]: 137 [0], given: 121

Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 23 Mar 2011, 07:11
Thanks so much Karishma. :-D
Manager
Manager
User avatar
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
Posts: 179
Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 21 [0], given: 31

GMAT Tests User
Re: If you got the last question right, check this out too. [#permalink] New post 23 Mar 2011, 08:16
Great Explanation Karishma ...Thank you so very much..
_________________

Consider me giving KUDOS, if you find my post helpful.
If at first you don't succeed, you're running about average. ~Anonymous

Director
Director
Status: Struggling with GMAT prep
Affiliations: NYK Line
Joined: 21 Sep 2012
Posts: 893
Location: India
WE: Engineering (Transportation)
Followers: 12

Kudos [?]: 78 [0], given: 55

CAT Tests
Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. [#permalink] New post 10 Nov 2012, 15:49
Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. When line a is reflected around the y-axis, is its reflection parallel to line b?

(1) Line a is perpendicular to line b.

(2) The slope of line b > 0
Intern
Intern
Status: ISB 14...:)
Joined: 26 May 2012
Posts: 30
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy
Schools: ISB '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V39
GPA: 3.62
WE: Engineering (Energy and Utilities)
Followers: 1

Kudos [?]: 14 [0], given: 10

Reviews Badge
Re: Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. [#permalink] New post 10 Nov 2012, 17:14
let the lines be
a ---> y = mx + c
b ---> y = nx + d

reflection of line 'a' around y-axis would be y = - mx + c

from the first statement,
mn = - 1

but we cannot decide whether they are parellel as '- m' can be or cannot be equal to 'n'.

from the second statement,

n>0

this signifies nothing regarding the relationship between slopes of the two lines, hence not sufficient

Even after combining both the statements, the data is insufficient

For example, if m = -1; n = 1
it satisfies both the statements and the lines are parellel

and for m = -0.5; n = 2
it satisfies both the equations and the lines are not parellel.

Ans. E
GMAT Club team member
User avatar
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 11515
Followers: 1791

Kudos [?]: 9532 [0], given: 826

Re: Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. [#permalink] New post 11 Nov 2012, 05:46
Re: Lines a and b have different y-intercepts.   [#permalink] 11 Nov 2012, 05:46
    Similar topics Author Replies Last post
Similar
Topics:
New posts The y-intercept of a line l is 4. If the slope of l is alimad 3 17 Sep 2006, 17:10
New posts 4 In the xy-plane, what is the y-intercept of line? oagostinho 4 24 Sep 2009, 18:11
New posts 14 EXPERTS_POSTS_IN_THIS_TOPIC In the xy-plane, what is the y-intercept of line l? testprep2010 9 28 Feb 2010, 20:51
New posts 1 Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. When line a is guygmat 1 19 Jun 2011, 08:04
New posts 3 EXPERTS_POSTS_IN_THIS_TOPIC In the xy-plane, line a and line b have the same slope. monir6000 3 24 Apr 2012, 20:54
Display posts from previous: Sort by

Lines a and b have different y-intercepts. When line a is

  Question banks Downloads My Bookmarks Reviews  


GMAT Club MBA Forum Home| About| Privacy Policy| Terms and Conditions| GMAT Club Rules| Contact| Sitemap

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group and phpBB SEO

Kindly note that the GMAT® test is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council®, and this site has neither been reviewed nor endorsed by GMAC®.