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# The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate

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The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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29 Sep 2013, 19:43
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The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate place are (0,0), (0,4), (7,0) and (7,4). If a line through (2,2) partitions the interior of this rectangle into 2 regions that have equal areas, what is the slope of this line?

A. 0
B. 2/5
C. 4/7
D. 1
E. 7/4

I got confused on this question. Can you show a good method of doing it?
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by Bunuel on 29 Sep 2013, 23:50, edited 1 time in total.
Edited the question.
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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29 Sep 2013, 23:52
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teeva wrote:
The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate place are (0,0), (0,4), (7,0) and (7,4). If a line through (2,2) partitions the interior of this rectangle into 2 regions that have equal areas, what is the slope of this line?

A. 0
B. 2/5
C. 4/7
D. 1
E. 7/4

I got confused on this question. Can you show a good method of doing it?

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:

Rectangle.png [ 7.17 KiB | Viewed 10932 times ]
In order the line to divide the rectangle into two equal parts it must be horizontal. The slope of any horizontal line is zero.

For more on Coordinate Geometry check here: math-coordinate-geometry-87652.html

Hope it helps.
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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21 Oct 2013, 23:03
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First I assumed the line passes through the origin and is a diagonal of the rectangle making the slope 1. But then I realized that the slope can't be '1' because only a square would have a slope of 1. Since this is a rectangle, its slope has to be something else.

This is a good problem where the grid lines on the worksheet come in handy. Just need to make sure to draw the sketch to scale.
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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02 Nov 2013, 10:59
Bunuel wrote:
teeva wrote:
The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate place are (0,0), (0,4), (7,0) and (7,4). If a line through (2,2) partitions the interior of this rectangle into 2 regions that have equal areas, what is the slope of this line?

A. 0
B. 2/5
C. 4/7
D. 1
E. 7/4

I got confused on this question. Can you show a good method of doing it?

Look at the diagram below:
Attachment:
Rectangle.png
In order the line to divide the rectangle into two equal parts it must be horizontal. The slope of any horizontal line is zero.

For more on Coordinate Geometry check here: math-coordinate-geometry-87652.html

Hope it helps.

Why did you not check to see if it is the diagonal of the rectangle?
Is it not possible for the diagonal to split it into 2 equal shapes?
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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02 Nov 2013, 22:43
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ronr34 wrote:
Why did you not check to see if it is the diagonal of the rectangle?
Is it not possible for the diagonal to split it into 2 equal shapes?

It is not possible to have the point (2,2) on the diagonal. Had it been on the diagonals, the slope of this line would be : $$\frac{4-0}{7-0} = \frac{2-0}{2-0}$$ which is obviously not the case as these 2 values are different.
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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03 Nov 2013, 01:31
mau5 wrote:
ronr34 wrote:
Why did you not check to see if it is the diagonal of the rectangle?
Is it not possible for the diagonal to split it into 2 equal shapes?

It is not possible to have the point (2,2) on the diagonal. Had it been on the diagonals, the slope of this line would be : $$\frac{4-0}{7-0} = \frac{2-0}{2-0}$$ which is obviously not the case as these 2 values are different.

Yes this is what I thought.
I just didn't understand if it was a given that we need to check it, or if there was
another way of knowing without making this equation and checking.
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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15 Jan 2015, 10:28
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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20 Jun 2015, 06:14
Why cant a line that pass through (2,2) and make 45 degrees(slope 1) with X axis and that also splits the rectangle into two quadrilaterals be assumed ?
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The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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20 Jun 2015, 09:06
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suhasancd wrote:
The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate place are (0,0), (0,4), (7,0) and (7,4). If a line through (2,2) partitions the interior of this rectangle into 2 regions that have equal areas, what is the slope of this line?

A. 0
B. 2/5
C. 4/7
D. 1
E. 7/4

Why cant a line that pass through (2,2) and make 45 degrees(slope 1) with X axis and that also splits the rectangle into two quadrilaterals be assumed ?

CONCEPT : The readers need to know that a rectangle can be divided into two equal area by a Straight line only when the straight line passes through the Centre of the Rectangle (Intersection of its two diagonals) Draw a figure and know it for yourself.

The point of Intersections of the diagonals will be the midpoint of any diagonal i.e. Midpoint of (0,0), and (7,4) OR Midpoint of (0,4) and (7,0)

i.e. Either [(0+7)/2, (0+4)/2] OR [(0+7)/2, (4+0)/2] = [3.5, 2]

Slope of line passing through points (2,2) and (3.5,2) = (2-2)/(3.5-2) = 0

P.S. Line passing through (2,2) and slope =1 will also pass through origin and will divide the rectangle into One triangle and another Trapezium which will not have equal Areaa
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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12 Jul 2016, 06:08
Line passes through 2,2
Equation of line=y-y1=m(x-x1)
So y-2=m(x-2)

From the options I initially choose m=1
But it will intersect the line segment joining 0,4 and 7,4 at x=4,y,4
Two areas will be unequal

next chose m=0,
It will be a horizontal line

So,y=2 is the equation of the line and it will intersect line joining 7,4 and 7,0 at 7,2
Now we have two rectangles and both of them have areas=14.

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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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16 Aug 2016, 08:49
I am unable to understand why cant it be a diagonal and why horizontal line. The rectangle has 1 pair of sides equal , the diagonal from origin passing thru 2,2 will divide into 2 parts that is equal. Please tell me why we are considering horizontal line and not the diagonal.

Regards
Megha
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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08 Sep 2016, 17:02
megha_2709 wrote:
I am unable to understand why cant it be a diagonal and why horizontal line. The rectangle has 1 pair of sides equal , the diagonal from origin passing thru 2,2 will divide into 2 parts that is equal. Please tell me why we are considering horizontal line and not the diagonal.

Regards
Megha

A diagonal is not the only line that divides the area into two equal halves. Nor is the horizontal line. A vertical line could also divide a rectangle into two equal facts. In fact, if there is only one point given within a rectangle, we can draw a line that would not be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, that would divide a rectangle into two trapeziums of equal area. However, we need to identify which of the following points are on a line that divides the rectangle into two equal halves. A figure approach, as demonstrated by bunuel, helps.

However, if you wish to check through an extended version, find the equation of the line that would make the diagonal of the rectangle. You'd find that the point (2,2). does not lie on the diagonal. Also, it would not lie on a line that is vertical and that divides the rectangle into two equal halves. Another way of looking at the question is that the breadth of the rectangle is 4 and the length is 7. So a horizontal line with y co-ordinate 2 will for sure divide the rectangle into two equal halves. Also, a vertical line with x co-ordinate 3.5 would do the same job.

Hope this helps.
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Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate [#permalink]

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09 Sep 2016, 22:10
I was initially confused that for splitting the triangle into 2 equal areas, diagonal might be required. But then, when the graph is plotted, the line that goes through (2,2) will go straight and have coordinates (0,2) & (7,2). The area formed is half of the rectangle and the slope would be 0. [Distance between two points (2,2) - (0,2)].
Re: The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate   [#permalink] 09 Sep 2016, 22:10
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