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# In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 43785
In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are [#permalink]

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21 Jan 2018, 02:31
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25% (medium)

Question Stats:

83% (00:58) correct 17% (01:25) wrong based on 36 sessions

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In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are on the line defined by y = 2x – 5. What is the value of k ?

(A) -5/2
(B) -5/3
(C) -3/2
(D) -2/3
(E) -2/5
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 43785
Re: In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are [#permalink]

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21 Jan 2018, 02:32
Bunuel wrote:
In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are on the line defined by y = 2x – 5. What is the value of k ?

(A) -5/2
(B) -5/3
(C) -3/2
(D) -2/3
(E) -2/5

Similar questions:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-the-xy-co ... 35012.html
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Re: In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are [#permalink]

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21 Jan 2018, 11:04
Bunuel wrote:
In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are on the line defined by y = 2x – 5. What is the value of k ?

(A) -5/2
(B) -5/3
(C) -3/2
(D) -2/3
(E) -2/5

Since there is a specific rule which leads to a straightforward calculation, we'll just use it.
This is a Precise approach.

When we're given two points, we can calculate the slope of the line through them with (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1).
So, 2 = (b - 3 - b)/(a + k - a) = -3/k.
Then k = -3/2.

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Re: In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are [#permalink]

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21 Jan 2018, 11:55
Bunuel wrote:
In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are on the line defined by y = 2x – 5. What is the value of k ?

(A) -5/2
(B) -5/3
(C) -3/2
(D) -2/3
(E) -2/5

Points with variables, plus a line equation, makes me think that this is just an algebra problem dressed up in geometry clothing.

After all, if a point is on a line, and you have the equation for that line, all that means is that you can plug in the coordinates of the point, to the equation for the line, and you get a true statement.

So, we can plug in both points and get correct equations:

b = 2a - 5
b-3 = 2(a+k) - 5

Simplify the second equation:

b - 3 = 2a + 2k - 5

b = 2a + 2k - 2

Since both equations now tell you the value of b, you can set them equal to each other:

2a - 5 = 2a + 2k - 2
-5 = 2k - 2
-3 = 2k
k = -3/2
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Re: In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are [#permalink]

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22 Jan 2018, 22:22
Bunuel wrote:
In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are on the line defined by y = 2x – 5. What is the value of k ?

(A) -5/2
(B) -5/3
(C) -3/2
(D) -2/3
(E) -2/5

$$b = 2a - 5,$$
$$b - 3 = 2(a+k) - 5... K = -3/2$$
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Re: In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are   [#permalink] 22 Jan 2018, 22:22
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# In the xy-coordinate plane, the points (a, b ) and (a + k, b – 3) are

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