Question

If the x-intercept of some line $L$ is double as that of the line, $3x+4y=12$ and the $y$-intercept of $L$, is half as that of the same line, then the slope of $L$ is:

• A. $-3$
• B. $-3/8$
• C. $-3/2$
• D. $-3/16$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Given line $3x+4y=12$ can be rewritten as
$\frac{3x}{12}+\frac{4y}{12}=1\Rightarrow \frac{x}{4}+\frac{y}{3}=1$
$\Rightarrow$ x-intercept=4 and y-intercept= 3 Let the required line be
$L:\frac{x}{a}+\frac{y}{b}=1$ where
$a=x-$intercept and $b=y-$ intercept
According to the question
$a=4\times 2=8$ and $b=3/2$
$\therefore$ Required line is $\frac{x}{8}+\frac{2y}{3}=1$
$\Rightarrow 3x+16y=24$
$\Rightarrow y=\frac{-3}{16}x+\frac{24}{16}$
Hence, required slope $=\frac{-3}{16}.$