In the xy-plane, line L intersects y = x^2 + 2 at how many points?

Question

(1) The slope of Line L is 0
(2) The Line passes through (4,5)

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CareerGeek · Answer

y = x^2 + 2 is a parabola facing upwards with vertex = (0, 2)

(1) The slope of Line L is 0
--> The line is parallel to x-axis and equation of line is y = k, for any number k
--> Many intersections are possible.

Case 1: If k = 1, Equation of line is y = 1 --> no intersections
Case 2: If k = 2, Equation of line is y = 2 --> 1 intersection
Case 3: If k = 3, Equation of line is y = 3 --> 2 intersections 
-->  Insufficient

(2) The Line passes through (4,5)
Since we do not know the slope of the line, we cannot say exact number of intersections -->  Insufficient

Combining (1) & (2),
slope of line is 0 and passes through (4, 5)
--> Equation of line is y = 5
--> Number of intersections = 2 -->  Sufficient

IMO Option C

ShankSouljaBoi · Answer

A line is defined by 1. Slope ( direction ) and 2. a point

Hence C

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exc4libur · Answer

Parabolas: a line in quadratic form means its a parabola; Transform y=x^2+2 in the form y=ax^2+bx+c a=1 (upwards parabola), b=0, c=2 If a > 0 (positive) then the parabola opens upward. If a < 0 (negative) then the parabola opens downward. Find the vertex to see where the parabola originates. Vertex(x)=-b/2a=-(0)/2(1)=0 Vertex(y): y=x^2+2, y=(0)+2=2 Vertex(x,y)=(0,2) (1) The slope of Line L is 0 insufic mL=0, then L is a horizontal line, y=mx+b becomes y=0+b, y=b If y<2, then number of intersections is 0 If y=2, then number of intersections is 1 If y>2, then number of intersections is 2 (2) The Line passes through (4,5) insufic (1&2) sufic Line L is y=5, a horizontal parallel to the x-axis; It intersects 2 points. Ans (C)

MathRevolution · Answer

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution. Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details. The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary. Assume the equation of the line L is y=mx+b . Since we have 2 variables ( m and b ) and 0 equations, C is most likely the answer. So, we should consider conditions 1) & 2) together first. After comparing the number of variables and the number of equations, we can save time by considering conditions 1) & 2) together first. Conditions 1) & 2) Since we have y=x^2+2 and y=mx+b , the number of intersections is the number of roots of the equation x^2 + 2 = mx + b or x^2 - mx + (2-b) = 0 . Then we can determine the number of roots of the equation x^2 - mx + (2-b) = 0 using its discriminant m^2 - 4(2-b) . Since the line passes through (4,5) , we have 5 = 4m + b or b = 5 - 4m . Then the discriminant is m^2 - 4(2-b) = m^2 - 4(2-5+4m) = m^2 -16m + 12 . Since the slope of the line is 0 , we have m = 0 . Then the discriminant is m^2 - 16m + 12 = 12 > 0 , which tells the line L, y=mx+b and y=x^2+2 have two intersection. Since both conditions together yield a unique solution, they are sufficient. Therefore, C is the answer. Normally, in problems which require 2 equations, such as those in which the original conditions include 2 variables, or 3 variables and 1 equation, or 4 variables and 2 equations, each of conditions 1) and 2) provide an additional equation. In these problems, the two key possibilities are that C is the answer (with probability 70%), and E is the answer (with probability 25%). Thus, there is only a 5% chance that A, B, or D is the answer. This occurs in common mistake types 3 and 4. Since C (both conditions together are sufficient) is the most likely answer, we save time by first checking whether conditions 1) and 2) are sufficient, when taken together. Obviously, there may be cases in which the answer is A, B, D, or E, but if conditions 1) and 2) are NOT sufficient when taken together, the answer must be E.

TarunKumar1234 · Answer

y = x^2 + 2 is equation of Parabola which, passes through (0,2) and bends towards +y axis.

If we have slope, m=0 then there will be so many parallel line which can pass either below (0,2), then it won't intersect with Parabola or above (0,2) then intersect at 2 points. Moreover, if a st. line passes through (0,2) and slope m=1 then it will intersect at 1 place at Parabola.

Nevertheless, single point doesn't help to st. line so, we can't predict intersection.

Combining both, we have slope and point through which st. can be predicted so. we can get intersection points.

Ans. C.

happypuppy · Answer

For this case it might work but a line can be a tangent as well to a curve. 
Given y= x^2 + 2 is a parabola, hence, tangents are possible.

bumpbot · Answer

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In the xy-plane, line L intersects y = x^2 + 2 at how many points?

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GMAT Data Sufficiency (DS) Questions

In the xy-plane, line L intersects y = x^2 + 2 at how many points?

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