45.8k views
2 votes
A pair of opposite vertices of a square is (1, 2) and (3,4). Find the coordinates of the remaining

vertices of the square.​

1 Answer

0 votes

Answer:

(3, 2) and (1, 4)

Explanation:

Plot the two points on a graph.

The other two points are (3, 2) and (1, 4).

To do this with algebra, it takes a few steps.

The diagonals of a square are perpendicular and bisect each other. You are given opposite vertices, so first, find the midpoint of that diagonal.

((1 + 3)/2, (2 + 4)/2) = (2, 3)

The midpoint of the diagonal is (2, 3).

This diagonal has slope 1 and y-intercept 1, so its equation is

y = x + 1

The perpendicular bisector has equation

y = -x + 5

The two vertices we are looking for, lie in a circle whose center is the midpoint of the diagonals, (2, 3), and whose radius is half of the diagonal.

Use Pythagoras to find the diagonal's length.

2^2 + 2^2 = c^2

c^2 = 8

c = sqrt(8) = 2sqrt(2)

Half of the diagonal is sqrt(2). This is the radius if the circle.

The equation of the circle is

(x - 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = (sqrt(2))^2

(x - 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 2

The points of intersection of this circle and the second diagonal are the two vertices you are looking for.

System of equations:

(x - 2)^2 + (y - 3)^2 = 2

y = -x + 5

Use substitution and substitute y with -x + 5 in the equation of the circle.

(x - 2)^2 + (-x + 5 - 3)^2 = 2

(x - 2)^2 + (-x + 2)^2 - 2 = 0

x^2 - 4x + 4 + x^2 - 4x + 4 - 2= 0

2x^2 - 8x + 6 = 0

x^2 - 4x + 3 = 0

(x - 3)(x - 1) = 0

x - 3 = 0 or x - 1 = 0

x = 3 or x = 1

Now we find corresponding y values.

y = -x + 5

x = 3

y = -3 + 5 = 2

This gives us (3, 2).

y = -x + 5

x = 1

y = -1 + 5 = 4

This gives us (1, 4).

Answer: (1, 4) and (3, 2)

User Martin Chaov
by
8.0k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories