Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 02:47 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 02:47
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Sub 505 (Easy)|   Coordinate Plane|   Geometry|               
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,802
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,868
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,802
Kudos: 810,921
 [15]
Kudos
Add Kudos
15
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
DangerPenguin
Joined: 10 Sep 2014
Last visit: 22 Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Own Kudos:
123
 [3]
Given Kudos: 25
Posts: 90
Kudos: 123
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
uday1409
Joined: 14 Dec 2014
Last visit: 23 Apr 2015
Posts: 42
Own Kudos:
111
 [1]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Finance
GPA: 3.87
WE:Programming (Computer Software)
Posts: 42
Kudos: 111
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
g106
Joined: 21 Aug 2010
Last visit: 21 Oct 2015
Posts: 128
Own Kudos:
386
 [1]
Given Kudos: 141
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V35
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V35
Posts: 128
Kudos: 386
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

Tough and Tricky questions: Geometry.




In the figure above, segments PR and QR are each parallel to one of the rectangular coordinate axes. Is the ratio of the length of QR to the length of PR equal to 1?

(1) c = 3 and d = 4.
(2) a = -2 and b = -1.

Kudos for a correct solution.

Attachment:
2014-12-15_2030.png

1) not sufficient: we will get the coordinates of point Q but not length
2) not sufficient: again we wont get the length

Combining both We get the lengths of both lines and from there we can find the ratio
avatar
GuidoVdS
Joined: 30 Sep 2015
Last visit: 03 Jul 2017
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 12
Location: Portugal
GPA: 3.2
WE:Analyst (Finance: Investment Banking)
Posts: 5
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1) not sufficient
2) not sufficient

Combining: You can either calculate the length of PQ or, as I did, calculated the slope of line PQ.

Since slope = 1, it means that angle RPQ and PQR must have 45 degrees. Thus, the length of QR to the length of PR must be 1.
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 20,000
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and independent equations ensures a solution.

In the figure above, segments PR and QR are each parallel to one of the rectangular coordinate axes. Is the ratio of the length of QR to the length of PR equal to 1?

(1) c = 3 and d = 4.
(2) a = -2 and b = -1.

The question is actually asking whether QR=PR and whether the gradient of the line passing through P and Q is 1
There are 4 variables (a,b,c,d) but there are only 2 equations, so there is high chance (C) will be the answer.
Looking at the conditions together, slope=(-2-3)/(-1-4)=1, and this answers the question 'yes' and the answer becomes (C).

For cases where we need 3 more equations, such as original conditions with “3 variables”, or “4 variables and 1 equation”, or “5 variables and 2 equations”, we have 1 equation each in both 1) and 2). Therefore, there is 80% chance that E is the answer (especially about 90% of 2 by 2 questions where there are more than 3 variables), while C has 15% chance. These two are the majority. In case of common mistake type 3,4, the answer may be from A, B or D but there is only 5% chance. Since E is most likely to be the answer using 1) and 2) separately according to DS definition (It saves us time). Obviously there may be cases where the answer is A, B, C or D.
User avatar
dcummins
Joined: 14 Feb 2017
Last visit: 16 Mar 2026
Posts: 1,021
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 368
Location: Australia
Concentration: Technology, Strategy
GMAT 1: 560 Q41 V26
GMAT 2: 550 Q43 V23
GMAT 3: 650 Q47 V33
GMAT 4: 650 Q44 V36
GMAT 5: 600 Q38 V35
GMAT 6: 710 Q47 V41
WE:Management Consulting (Consulting)
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
We can determine the coordinates of R without much extra work

R(c,b)
The question is then is (d-b)/(c-a) = 1?

stat.1 - gives only one coordinate. IS
Stat.2 - gives only one coordinate. IS

Combined we have all the coordinates.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,966
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,966
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109802 posts
498 posts
212 posts