In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a,b)

Question

Competition Mode Question

In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a, b), where b = 4a - 16 and a > 3 what is the slope of k?

A. -4
B. -1/2
C. 0
D. 2
E. 4

rishinric · Accepted Answer

In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a, b), where b = 4a - 16 and a > 3 what is the slope of k?

A. -4
B. -1/2
C. 0
D. 2
E. 4

If A is 4 then b is 0, Point will be (4,0)
Now slope = (0+4)/(4-3) = 4
If A is 6 then b is 8, Point will be (6,8)
Now slope = (8+4)/(6-3) = 4
So answer is E

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joohwangie · Answer

In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a, b), where b = 4a - 16 and a > 3 what is the slope of k?

if a=4 , b=0
if a=5, b=4

slope= \frac{-4-0}{3-4}=\frac{-4}{-1}=4 
slope= \frac{-4-4}{3-5}=\frac{-8}{-2}=4 
therefore, E

EncounterGMAT · Answer

In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a, b), where b = 4a - 16 and a > 3 what is the slope of k?

A. -4
B. -1/2
C. 0
D. 2
E. 4

points (3, -4) and (a, b) where b = 4a - 16 and a > 3

if a=4, b=0

Points would be (3, -4) and (4, 0)
Slope of line= \frac{y2-y1}{x2-x1}  = \frac{0+4}{4-3}  = 4........ option E

P.S: take any value of a (a>3), you'll get same slope.

eakabuah · Answer

The generic equation of a line is y=mx+c
From the question stem, we know that a>3
Hence the slope cannot be negative and it cannot be 0 either.
Testing with m=2
y=2x+c
Plugging in (3,-4)
-4=2*3+c hence c= -10
y=2x-10
The x intercept has to be more than 3 if the equation of the line is correct
0=2x-10 meaning x=5.
Hence the slope is 2.

The answer is therefore D.

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Archit3110 · Answer

for (a,b) b = 4a - 16 and a > 3 
a=4 , b=0
m=y2-y1/x2-x1 ; -4/-1 ; 4
IMO E ; 4

In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a, b), where b = 4a - 16 and a > 3 what is the slope of k?

A. -4
B. -1/2
C. 0
D. 2
E. 4

exc4libur · Answer

points(x,y): (3,-4);(a,4a-16) 
 slope(m)=\frac{y2-y1}{x2-x1}=\frac{4a-16-(-4)}{a-3}=\frac{4a-12}{a-3}=\frac{(a-3)+3a-9}{a-3}=\frac{(a-3)+3(a-3)}{a-3}=\frac{(a-3)(1+3)}{a-3}=4

Answer (E)

unraveled · Answer

Let the eqn. of line k
y = mx + c with slope m.

Since the line k passes through (3, -4) and (a, b) both, we have equations
- 4 = m * 3 + c and b = m * a + c

Subtracting 2nd from 1st gives
- 4 - b = 3m – am
m = (4+b) / (a – 3)

From question b = 4a – 16 and a > 3

If a = 4 then b = 0
 m = 4 + 0 / (4 - 3)
 m = 4

Answer E.

Mohammadmo · Answer

b-(-4)/a-3 = 4a-16+4/a-3=
4a-12/a-3
As a>3 so, A,B, and C could not be the answer. If we let a, 4 therefore b is 0.(4,0)
0-(-4)/4-3=4/1=4
Option E

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snoep · Answer

In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a, b), where b = 4a - 16 and a > 3 what is the slope of k?

Slope =  \frac{b-(-4)}{a-3} 
Let's say a = 4
b = 16-16 = 0
slope =  \frac{0+4}{4-3}  = 4

E is the answer!

bumpbot · Answer

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In the xy-plane, if line k passes through the points (3, -4) and (a,b)

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