Asad wrote:
Quote:
In the coordinate system above, which of the following is the equation of line l ?
(A) 2x - 3y = 6
(B) 2x + 3y = 6
(C) 3x + 2y = 6
(D) 2x - 3y = -6
(E) 3x - 2y = -6
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Exactly in (3,0) and (0,2)?
Thanks__
Hello Asad,
I agree with you that the diagram is not complete in terms of telling you where the line cuts the x and the y axis. So, your difficulty is understandable.
However, the diagram is just one component of this PS question. In a PS question, remember that the answer options are as important a component of the question as any other. As such, if you do not take clues from the answer options, you may be at a loss in questions like these.
A quick glance at the answer options should tell you that the intercepts are 3 and 2. There aren’t any other numbers other than these two, in any of the options. That’s a clear clue. Additionally, observe the diagram carefully:
On the x-axis, the diagram shows 2 divisions clearly and then shows the line cutting the x-axis. These three divisions are equally spaced as well. Having looked at the answer options, you can now conclusively say that the x-intercept should be 3.
Similarly, on the y-axis, the diagram shows 2 equally spaced divisions. Again, it’s not hard to conclude that the y-intercept should be 2.
Using the intercept form of the equation of a line i.e. \(\frac{x}{a}\) + \(\frac{y}{b}\) = 1, we have,
\(\frac{x}{3}\) + \(\frac{y}{2}\) = 1, which simplifies to 2x + 3y = 6.
Hope that answers your question!