According to GRE rules, can we assume the position of B is where it is on the figure? Eg. the max area of this triangle would be exactly 25 if B were above the centre of the circle (not shown). Since B is obviously off to the side, can we say that the area is therefore less than 25? What does the GRE have to say about this relative positioning?
No
- “Geometric figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. That is, you should not assume that quantities such as lengths and angle measures are as they appear in a figure.”
You’re assuming \angle COB above, where O is the center of the circle
- “For questions with geometric figures, you should base your answers on geometric reasoning, not on estimating or comparing quantities by sight or by measurement.”
You’re using the phrase “off to the side” as a substitute for geometric reasoning when you state that the “area of the triangle is less than 25 simply because point B appears ‘off to the side.’”
- “Assume that points on a line or a curve are in the order shown, points shown to be on opposite sides of a line or curve are so oriented, and more generally, assume all geometric objects are in the relative positions shown.”