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Use the midpoint formula method to find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of the linesegment whose endpoints are (-1, -1) and (-11, 0). Write the equation in general form.

User Thewreck
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1 Answer

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The formula for determining the midpoint between two lines is expressed as

Midpoint = [(x1 + x2)/2 , (y1 + y2)/2]

From the points given,

x1 = - 1, y1 = - 1

x2 = - 11, y2 = 0

Midpoint = [(- 1 - 11)/2 , (- 1 + 0)/2]

Midpoint = [(- 12/2, - 1/2)]

Midpoint = (- 6, - 1/2)

The next step is to find the slope of the line. The formula for determining slope is expressed as

slope = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)

Slope = (0 - - 1)/(- 11 - -1)

Slope = 1/- 10

Slope = - 1/10

The perpendicular bisector would have a slope that is a negative reciprocal of the given slope. Thus,

slope = 10

We would write the equation of the line in the slope intercept form which is expressed as

y = mx + c

where m represents slope

Since the line passes through (- 6, - 1/2), we would find the y intercept by substituting x = - 6, y = - 1/2 and m = 10 into the slope intercept equation. It becomes

- 1/2 = - 6 * 10 + c

- 1/2 = - 60 + c

c = - 0.5 + 60 = 59.5

Thus, the equation of the line is

y = 10x + 59.5

The general form is

10x - y = - 59.5

User Eldrad
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