Line L and Line M are in xy-plane such that neither of these is parall

Question

Line L and Line M are in xy-plane such that neither of these is parallel to either x-axis or y-axis.Is the x-intercept of the line L greater than that of the line M?

(1) The y-intercept of the line L is greater than the y-intercept of the line M
(2) The lines L and M are parallel to each other.

chetan2u · Accepted Answer

Line L and Line M are in xy-plane such that neither of these is parallel to either x-axis or y-axis.Is the x-intercept of the line L greater than that of the line M?

(1) The y-intercept of the line L is greater than the y-intercept of the line M
 We do not know the slope of the two 
Insufficient

(2) The lines L and M are parallel to each other.
 We do not k ow which is where 
Insufficient

Combined
 Look at the sketch..
If the x-intercepts are positive and slope is negative, x-intercept of line l is greater.
If the x-intercepts are negative and slope positive, x-intercept of line l is smaller 
Insufficient

E

KanishkM · Answer

So basically what this question asks is that Is the x-intercept of the line L greater than that of the line M

(1)The y-intercept of the line L is greater than the y-intercept of the line M
As per the question the lines will be intersecting each other, and if you visualize you can see that if you slant the line M(at a greater angle) you can get a x intercept greater than L, and when you dont slant the line M, you can get the x intercept smaller than L.

(2)The lines L and M are parallel to each other.
This doesn't tell us anything about the orientation of the intercepts

Combination of both, will give u two regions, if you take slope as +ive and draw both lines in the 1st region, x intercept of line l(x=4, y = 6) will be greater than x intercept of line m(x=3 and y=5) just join these points.

But when you draw the same lines in 2nd region, x intercept of line l (y=6, x =-4) will be less than x intercept of m(y=5, x =-3)

Making both the statements insufficient to answer.

E

abc11 · Answer

Not quite clear, I would think if they are parallel in B), it should mean that if a line has bigger "y" intercept, it would have more "x" intercept as well.

KanishkM · Answer

Hi  abc11

Your reasoning is correct, but which line is which, how do we know that ??

By  which line is which , i meant, line l can have x intercept = 3 and y intercept = 4 whereas line m can have x intercept = 2 and y intercept =3

And now you can even interchange the coordinates, in that case

line m can have x intercept = 3 and y intercept 4 whereas line l can have x intercept as = 2 and y intercept as 3

In one case x intercept of l > x intercept of m and in other x intercept of l < x intercept of m.

GMATaspirant641 · Answer

Let L: a1x + b1y + c1 = 0
Let M: a2x + b2y + c2 = 0

The question asks is whether -(c1 / a1) > -(c2 / a2) ?? --> c1/a1 < c2/a2 ??

(1) From this we can infer that

-(c1/b1) > -(c2/b2) --> c1/b1 < c2/b2

But, this doesn't give any concrete relationship between c1, c2, a1, a2.

Not Sufficient.

(2) Lines are parallel --> a1 = a2 = a; b1 = b2 = b.

So, from the question, we can re-write c1/a< c2/a.

We cannot multiply the inequality by 'a' since we dont know if a is negative or positive.

Insufficient.

(1) + (2): c1/b < c2/b. But, B can be both positive or negative. Hence c1 may or maynot be greater than c2. Hence, c1/a1 may or maynot be greater than c2/a2.

Hence Ans: E

sahilbhatia21 · Answer

I have read this question in the red book ie GMAT 1 Jamboree book

The answer is E

Mohammad Ali Khan · Answer

dont we have to consider only the absolute value of the x and y. is there any specific reason??

chetan2u · Answer

No, x-intercept means the point where the line cuts x-axis, that is when y is 0. And, the intercept will be the exact point / coordinates of that point.
If it is on the LEFT side of origin (0,0), it will be negative and if on the right side, it will be positive.
Absolute value does not come into play here..

If  y=x^2 , here y will always be positive and absolute will come into play because of square..
so y will be 4, both when x is 2 and when x is -2.

bumpbot · Answer

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.

Line L and Line M are in xy-plane such that neither of these is parall

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Data Sufficiency (DS) Questions

Line L and Line M are in xy-plane such that neither of these is parall

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards