Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Hi there!
<u>What we need to know:</u>
- Midpoint: where the endpoints are and
- Linear equations are typically organized in slope-intercept form: where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept (the value of y when the line crosses the y-axis)
- Perpendicular lines always have slopes that are negative reciprocals (ex. 2 and -1/2, 3/4 and -4/3, etc.)
<u>1) Determine the midpoint of the line segment</u>
When two lines <em>bisect</em> each other, they intersect at the middle of each line, or the midpoint.
Plug in the endpoints (5, -3) and (-7, -7)
Therefore, the midpoint of the line segment is (-1,-5).
<u>2) Determine the slope of the line segment</u>
Recall that the slopes of perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals. Doing this will help us determine the slope of the perpendicular bisector.
Slope = where the given points are and
Plug in the endpoints (5, -3) and (-7, -7)
Therefore, the slope of the line segment is . The negative reciprocal of is -3, so the slope of the perpendicular is -3. Plug this into :
<u>3) Determine the y-intercept of the perpendicular bisector (b)</u>
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Recall that the midpoint of the line segment is is (-1,-5), and that the perpendicular bisector passes through this point. Plug this point into and solve for b:
Subtract 3 from both sides
Therefore, the y-intercept of the line is -8. Plug this back into :
I hope this helps!