Point R divides segment PQ in the ratio 1 : 3. If the x-coordinate of R is -1 and the x-coordinate of P is -3, what is the x-coordinate of Q?

A. - 1/3
B. 3
C. 5
D. 6
E. -9

1 answer

To find the x-coordinate of Q, we first need to determine the distance between P and R and the distance between R and Q, taking into account the ratio 1:3.

Let PR be 1 unit and RQ be 3 units.

Since the x-coordinate of P is -3 and the x-coordinate of R is -1, the x-coordinate of Q can be found by following the distance on the x-axis. Starting from -1, 1 unit to the right is 0 and 3 units to the right of 0 is 3.

Therefore, the x-coordinate of Q is 3.

The answer is B. 3.