Lines - GRE Quantitative Reasoning
Card 1 of 848
What is the slope of the line perpendicular to the line given by the equation
6x – 9y +14 = 0
What is the slope of the line perpendicular to the line given by the equation
6x – 9y +14 = 0
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First rearrange the equation so that it is in slope-intercept form, resulting in y=2/3 x + 14/9. The slope of this line is 2/3, so the slope of the line perpendicular will have the opposite reciprocal as a slope, which is -3/2.
First rearrange the equation so that it is in slope-intercept form, resulting in y=2/3 x + 14/9. The slope of this line is 2/3, so the slope of the line perpendicular will have the opposite reciprocal as a slope, which is -3/2.
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What is the slope of the line perpendicular to the line represented by the equation y = -2x+3?
What is the slope of the line perpendicular to the line represented by the equation y = -2x+3?
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Perpendicular lines have slopes that are the opposite of the reciprocal of each other. In this case, the slope of the first line is -2. The reciprocal of -2 is -1/2, so the opposite of the reciprocal is therefore 1/2.
Perpendicular lines have slopes that are the opposite of the reciprocal of each other. In this case, the slope of the first line is -2. The reciprocal of -2 is -1/2, so the opposite of the reciprocal is therefore 1/2.
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What is the distance between the two points, (1,1) and (7,9)?
What is the distance between the two points, (1,1) and (7,9)?
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distance2 = (_x_2 – _x_1)2 + (_y_2 – _y_1)2
Looking at the two order pairs given, _x_1 = 1, _y_1 = 1, _x_2 = 7, _y_2 = 9.
distance2 = (7 – 1)2 + (9 – 1)2 = 62 + 82 = 100
distance = 10
distance2 = (_x_2 – _x_1)2 + (_y_2 – _y_1)2
Looking at the two order pairs given, _x_1 = 1, _y_1 = 1, _x_2 = 7, _y_2 = 9.
distance2 = (7 – 1)2 + (9 – 1)2 = 62 + 82 = 100
distance = 10
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Consider the lines described by the following two equations:
4y = 3x2
3y = 4x2
Find the vertical distance between the two lines at the points where x = 6.
Consider the lines described by the following two equations:
4y = 3x2
3y = 4x2
Find the vertical distance between the two lines at the points where x = 6.
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Since the vertical coordinates of each point are given by y, solve each equation for y and plug in 6 for x, as follows:

Taking the difference of the resulting y -values give the vertical distance between the points (6,27) and (6,48), which is 21.
Since the vertical coordinates of each point are given by y, solve each equation for y and plug in 6 for x, as follows:

Taking the difference of the resulting y -values give the vertical distance between the points (6,27) and (6,48), which is 21.
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Solve the following system of equations:
–2x + 3y = 10
2x + 5y = 6
Solve the following system of equations:
–2x + 3y = 10
2x + 5y = 6
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Since we have –2x and +2x in the equations, it makes sense to add the equations together to give 8y = 16 yielding y = 2. Then we substitute y = 2 into one of the original equations to get x = –2. So the solution to the system of equations is (–2, 2)
Since we have –2x and +2x in the equations, it makes sense to add the equations together to give 8y = 16 yielding y = 2. Then we substitute y = 2 into one of the original equations to get x = –2. So the solution to the system of equations is (–2, 2)
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Find the point where the line y = .25(x – 20) + 12 crosses the x-axis.
Find the point where the line y = .25(x – 20) + 12 crosses the x-axis.
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When the line crosses the x-axis, the y-coordinate is 0. Substitute 0 into the equation for y and solve for x.
.25(x – 20) + 12 = 0
.25_x_ – 5 = –12
.25_x_ = –7
x = –28
The answer is the point (–28,0).
When the line crosses the x-axis, the y-coordinate is 0. Substitute 0 into the equation for y and solve for x.
.25(x – 20) + 12 = 0
.25_x_ – 5 = –12
.25_x_ = –7
x = –28
The answer is the point (–28,0).
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Which of the above-listed lines are parallel?
Which of the above-listed lines are parallel?
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There are several ways to solve this problem. You could solve all of the equations for
. This would give you equations in the form
. All of the lines with the same
value would be parallel. Otherwise, you could figure out the ratio of
to
when both values are on the same side of the equation. This would suffice for determining the relationship between the two. We will take the first path, though, as this is most likely to be familiar to you.
Let's solve each for
:












Here, you need to be a bit more manipulative with your equation. Multiply the numerator and denominator of the
value by
:


Therefore,
,
, and
all have slopes of 
There are several ways to solve this problem. You could solve all of the equations for . This would give you equations in the form
. All of the lines with the same
value would be parallel. Otherwise, you could figure out the ratio of
to
when both values are on the same side of the equation. This would suffice for determining the relationship between the two. We will take the first path, though, as this is most likely to be familiar to you.
Let's solve each for :
Here, you need to be a bit more manipulative with your equation. Multiply the numerator and denominator of the value by
:
Therefore, ,
, and
all have slopes of
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Which of the following is parallel to the line passing through
and
?
Which of the following is parallel to the line passing through and
?
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Now, notice that the slope of the line that you have been given is
. You know this because slope is merely:

However, for your points, there is no rise at all. You do not even need to compute the value. You know it will be
. All lines with slope
are of the form
, where
is the value that
has for all
points. Based on our data, this is
, for
is always
—no matter what is the value for
. So, the parallel answer choice is
, as both have slopes of
.
Now, notice that the slope of the line that you have been given is . You know this because slope is merely:
However, for your points, there is no rise at all. You do not even need to compute the value. You know it will be . All lines with slope
are of the form
, where
is the value that
has for all
points. Based on our data, this is
, for
is always
—no matter what is the value for
. So, the parallel answer choice is
, as both have slopes of
.
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Which of the following is parallel to
?
Which of the following is parallel to ?
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To begin, solve your equation for
. This will put it into slope-intercept form, which will easily make the slope apparent. (Remember, slope-intercept form is
, where
is the slope.)

Divide both sides by
and you get:

Therefore, the slope is
. Now, you need to test your points to see which set of points has a slope of
. Remember, for two points
and
, you find the slope by using the equation:

For our question, the pair
and
gives us a slope of
:

To begin, solve your equation for . This will put it into slope-intercept form, which will easily make the slope apparent. (Remember, slope-intercept form is
, where
is the slope.)
Divide both sides by and you get:
Therefore, the slope is . Now, you need to test your points to see which set of points has a slope of
. Remember, for two points
and
, you find the slope by using the equation:
For our question, the pair and
gives us a slope of
:
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What is the distance between
and
?
What is the distance between and
?
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distance2 = (_x_2 – _x_1)2 + (_y_2 – _y_1)2 + (_z_2 – _z_1)2
= (4 – 2)2 + (6 – 3)2 + (5 – 4)2
= 22 + 32 + 12
= 14
distance = √14
distance2 = (_x_2 – _x_1)2 + (_y_2 – _y_1)2 + (_z_2 – _z_1)2
= (4 – 2)2 + (6 – 3)2 + (5 – 4)2
= 22 + 32 + 12
= 14
distance = √14
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If the coordinates (3, 14) and (_–_5, 15) are on the same line, what is the equation of the line?
If the coordinates (3, 14) and (_–_5, 15) are on the same line, what is the equation of the line?
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First solve for the slope of the line, m using y=mx+b
m = (y2 – y1) / (x2 – x1)
= (15 – 14) / (_–_5 _–_3)
= (1 )/( _–_8)
=_–_1/8
y = –(1/8)x + b
Now, choose one of the coordinates and solve for b:
14 = –(1/8)3 + b
14 = _–_3/8 + b
b = 14 + (3/8)
b = 14.375
y = –(1/8)x + 14.375
First solve for the slope of the line, m using y=mx+b
m = (y2 – y1) / (x2 – x1)
= (15 – 14) / (_–_5 _–_3)
= (1 )/( _–_8)
=_–_1/8
y = –(1/8)x + b
Now, choose one of the coordinates and solve for b:
14 = –(1/8)3 + b
14 = _–_3/8 + b
b = 14 + (3/8)
b = 14.375
y = –(1/8)x + 14.375
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What is the equation of the line passing through (–1,5) and the upper-right corner of a square with a center at the origin and a perimeter of 22?
What is the equation of the line passing through (–1,5) and the upper-right corner of a square with a center at the origin and a perimeter of 22?
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If the square has a perimeter of 22, each side is 22/4 or 5.5. This means that the upper-right corner is (2.75, 2.75)—remember that each side will be "split in half" by the x and y axes.
Using the two points we have, we can ascertain our line's equation by using the point-slope formula. Let us first get our slope:
m = rise/run = (2.75 – 5)/(2.75 + 1) = –2.25/3.75 = –(9/4)/(15/4) = –9/15 = –3/5.
The point-slope form is: y – y0 = m(x – x0). Based on our data this is: y – 5 = (–3/5)(x + 1); Simplifying, we get: y = (–3/5)x – (3/5) + 5; y = (–3/5)x + 22/5
If the square has a perimeter of 22, each side is 22/4 or 5.5. This means that the upper-right corner is (2.75, 2.75)—remember that each side will be "split in half" by the x and y axes.
Using the two points we have, we can ascertain our line's equation by using the point-slope formula. Let us first get our slope:
m = rise/run = (2.75 – 5)/(2.75 + 1) = –2.25/3.75 = –(9/4)/(15/4) = –9/15 = –3/5.
The point-slope form is: y – y0 = m(x – x0). Based on our data this is: y – 5 = (–3/5)(x + 1); Simplifying, we get: y = (–3/5)x – (3/5) + 5; y = (–3/5)x + 22/5
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If the line through the points (5, –3) and (–2, p) is parallel to the line y = –2_x_ – 3, what is the value of p ?
If the line through the points (5, –3) and (–2, p) is parallel to the line y = –2_x_ – 3, what is the value of p ?
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Since the lines are parallel, the slopes must be the same. Therefore, (p+3) divided by (_–2–_5) must equal _–_2. 11 is the only choice that makes that equation true. This can be solved by setting up the equation and solving for p, or by plugging in the other answer choices for p.





Since the lines are parallel, the slopes must be the same. Therefore, (p+3) divided by (_–2–_5) must equal _–_2. 11 is the only choice that makes that equation true. This can be solved by setting up the equation and solving for p, or by plugging in the other answer choices for p.
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Which line passes through the points (0, 6) and (4, 0)?
Which line passes through the points (0, 6) and (4, 0)?
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P1 (0, 6) and P2 (4, 0)
First, calculate the slope: m = rise ÷ run = (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1), so m = –3/2
Second, plug the slope and one point into the slope-intercept formula:
y = mx + b, so 0 = –3/2(4) + b and b = 6
Thus, y = –3/2x + 6
P1 (0, 6) and P2 (4, 0)
First, calculate the slope: m = rise ÷ run = (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1), so m = –3/2
Second, plug the slope and one point into the slope-intercept formula:
y = mx + b, so 0 = –3/2(4) + b and b = 6
Thus, y = –3/2x + 6
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What line goes through the points (1, 3) and (3, 6)?
What line goes through the points (1, 3) and (3, 6)?
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If P1(1, 3) and P2(3, 6), then calculate the slope by m = rise/run = (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1) = 3/2
Use the slope and one point to calculate the intercept using y = mx + b
Then convert the slope-intercept form into standard form.
If P1(1, 3) and P2(3, 6), then calculate the slope by m = rise/run = (y2 – y1)/(x2 – x1) = 3/2
Use the slope and one point to calculate the intercept using y = mx + b
Then convert the slope-intercept form into standard form.
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Let y = 3_x_ – 6.
At what point does the line above intersect the following:

Let y = 3_x_ – 6.
At what point does the line above intersect the following:
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If we rearrange the second equation it is the same as the first equation. They are the same line.
If we rearrange the second equation it is the same as the first equation. They are the same line.
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What is the slope of the equation 4_x_ + 3_y_ = 7?
What is the slope of the equation 4_x_ + 3_y_ = 7?
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We should put this equation in the form of y = mx + b, where m is the slope.
We start with 4_x_ + 3_y_ = 7.
Isolate the y term: 3_y_ = 7 – 4_x_
Divide by 3: y = 7/3 – 4/3 * x
Rearrange terms: y = –4/3 * x + 7/3, so the slope is –4/3.
We should put this equation in the form of y = mx + b, where m is the slope.
We start with 4_x_ + 3_y_ = 7.
Isolate the y term: 3_y_ = 7 – 4_x_
Divide by 3: y = 7/3 – 4/3 * x
Rearrange terms: y = –4/3 * x + 7/3, so the slope is –4/3.
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What is the slope of the line with equation 4_x_ – 16_y_ = 24?
What is the slope of the line with equation 4_x_ – 16_y_ = 24?
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The equation of a line is:
y = mx + b, where m is the slope
4_x_ – 16_y_ = 24
–16_y_ = –4_x_ + 24
y = (–4_x_)/(–16) + 24/(–16)
y = (1/4)x – 1.5
Slope = 1/4
The equation of a line is:
y = mx + b, where m is the slope
4_x_ – 16_y_ = 24
–16_y_ = –4_x_ + 24
y = (–4_x_)/(–16) + 24/(–16)
y = (1/4)x – 1.5
Slope = 1/4
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Which of the following lines is parallel to:

Which of the following lines is parallel to:
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First write the equation in slope intercept form. Add
to both sides to get
. Now divide both sides by
to get
. The slope of this line is
, so any line that also has a slope of
would be parallel to it. The correct answer is
.
First write the equation in slope intercept form. Add to both sides to get
. Now divide both sides by
to get
. The slope of this line is
, so any line that also has a slope of
would be parallel to it. The correct answer is
.
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There are two lines:
2x – 4y = 33
2x + 4y = 33
Are these lines perpendicular, parallel, non-perpendicular intersecting, or the same lines?
There are two lines:
2x – 4y = 33
2x + 4y = 33
Are these lines perpendicular, parallel, non-perpendicular intersecting, or the same lines?
Tap to reveal answer
To be totally clear, solve both lines in slope-intercept form:
2x – 4y = 33; –4y = 33 – 2x; y = –33/4 + 0.5x
2x + 4y = 33; 4y = 33 – 2x; y = 33/4 – 0.5x
These lines are definitely not the same. Nor are they parallel—their slopes differ. Likewise, they cannot be perpendicular (which would require not only opposite slope signs but also reciprocal slopes); therefore, they are non-perpendicular intersecting.
To be totally clear, solve both lines in slope-intercept form:
2x – 4y = 33; –4y = 33 – 2x; y = –33/4 + 0.5x
2x + 4y = 33; 4y = 33 – 2x; y = 33/4 – 0.5x
These lines are definitely not the same. Nor are they parallel—their slopes differ. Likewise, they cannot be perpendicular (which would require not only opposite slope signs but also reciprocal slopes); therefore, they are non-perpendicular intersecting.
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