In a plane, there are two parallel lines. One line has 5 points and another line has 4 different points. How many different triangles can we form from these 9 points?
A. 62
B. 70
C. 73
D. 86
E. 122
Answer: B
Source: e-GMAT
In a plane, there are two parallel lines. One line has 5 points and another line has 4 different points. How many differ
This topic has expert replies
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Brent@GMATPrepNow
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 16207
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Thanked: 5254 times
- Followed by:1268 members
- GMAT Score:770
There are two ways in which we can create a triangle.
#1) Select 2 points from the 5-point line and select 1 point from the 4-point line.
#2) Select 2 points from the 4-point line and select 1 point from the 5-point line.
#1) Select 2 points from the 5-point line and select 1 point from the 4-point line.
Take this task and break it into stages.
Stage 1: Select 2 points from the 5-point line
Since the order of the 2 selected points does not matter, we can use combinations.
We can select 2 points from 5 points in 5C2 = 10 ways.
If anyone is interested, we have a video on calculating combinations (like 5C2) in your head: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-counting?id=789
Stage 2: Select 1 point from the 4-point line.
We can complete this stage in 4 ways
By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP) we can complete the 2 stages in (10)(4) ways (= 40 ways)
#2) Select 2 points from the 4-point line and select 1 point from the 5-point line.
Take this task and break it into stages.
Stage 1: Select 2 points from the 4-point line
We can select 2 points from 4 points in 4C2 = 6 ways.
Stage 2: Select 1 point from the 5-point line.
We can complete this stage in 5 ways
By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP) we can complete the 2 stages in (6)(5) ways (= 30 ways)
-------------------------------------------------------------
So, the total number of triangles = 40 + 30
= 70
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent