Baten80
In the xy-plane, the points (c, d), (c, -d), and (-c, -d) are three vertices of a certain square. If c < 0 and d > 0, which of the following points is in the same quadrant as the fourth vertex of the square?
A. (-5, -3)
B. (-5, 3)
C. (5, -3)
D. (3, -5)
E. (3, 5)
I answered B. But OA
I almost answered B, because it would match the quadrant; however, when you look at the final piece to the pattern; that is, (-c, d) you realize -5 can not be -c, because
-(-5) = 5, which contradicts the given "c<0"
After understanding what the question asks, The first thing you should do is list the givens:
(c,d)
(c,-d)
(-c,-d)
(???) missing fourth point not given.
Analyzing the points given, you see a pattern of c and d both positive, one positive and one negative, and both negative, the only pattern left is one negative and one positive.
(c,-d) is already given; therefore the missing fourth point is (-c, d)
(-c,d) cannot be B, because, again, when you plug -5 into (-c,d) you get (-(-5), d) which contradicts "c<0"
Now, B and A are both eliminated. You know it cannot be an answer where d is a negative number, so
C and D are also eliminated.Therefore, the only remaining answer is EBottomline: You should be able to recognize the pattern, and thereafter eliminate answer choices .