GMAT Math : Tangent Lines

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #121 : Coordinate Geometry

Find the slope of the line tangent to circle  at the point .

I) Circle has a radius of  units.

II) The area of circle f is .

Possible Answers:

Both statements together are needed to answer the question.

Statement I is sufficient to answer the question, but Statement II is not sufficient to answer the question.

Statement II is sufficient to answer the question, but Statement I is not sufficient to answer the question.

Either statement alone is sufficient to answer the question.

Neither statement is sufficient to answer the question. More information is needed.

Correct answer:

Neither statement is sufficient to answer the question. More information is needed.

Explanation:

In this case, I and II give us a ton of information about the size of the circle, but we have no clue as to its location.

In order to know the slope of the tangent line, we need to know location of the circle, so we cannot solve this problem.

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