EFG is a 5:12:13 Pythagorean triplet, doubled to 10:24:26. The more time-consuming alternative to simply recognizing
Pythagorean triplets is to apply the Pythagorean theorem in order to find the length of the unknown side. To find the area of the
rectangle, use the shorter sides of the triangle, since they are the same as the sides of the rectangle. Pass information from one
figure to the next: 10 × 24 = 240.
J
If you cannot figure out how to set this one up, you can still eliminate most of the answer choices by drawing a quick sketch.
A slope of −4 indicates a line that goes down quite steeply as it moves to the right. Since this line crosses the x-axis to the
right of the y-axis, it must cross the y-axis at some point above the x-axis. That is, its y-intercept must be positive. This
allows you to eliminate all but two of the answer choices. To solve the problem algebraically, use the standard form of the
equation of a line, y = mx + b. You are given the slope, m = −4, and a point (x, y) = (7,0). Use this information to solve for b,
the y-intercept.
56.
C
For coordinate geometry questions, sketch the situation to help you visualize the problem. A line that is perpendicular to the
x-axis is one that crosses the x-axis at a 90° angle; therefore, it is parallel to the y-axis. It runs vertically, or up and down,
with the same x value for every changing y value.
57.
