A line segment is bisected by a line with the equation 9 y - 2 x = 5 9y2x=5. If one end of the line segment is at ( 7 , 3 )(7,3), where is the other end?

1 Answer
Jun 22, 2018

The general line containing all the endpoints of line segments with other endpoint (7,3)(7,3) bisected by 9y-2x=59y2x=5 is

9y-2x=-39y2x=3

The endpoint of the perpendicular bisector is (627/85, 111/85).(62785,11185).

Explanation:

If the line is the perpendicular bisector of the segment, the other endpoint is uniquely determined.

If the line is just a bisector, as asked, each point on the line is the bisector of some segment whose endpoint is (7,3)(7,3) and whose other endpoint sweeps out a curve. Let's see if we can figure out its equation.

If we're told (p,q)(p,q) is the midpoint of a segment with endpoint (a,b)=(7,3)(a,b)=(7,3) the other endpoint (x,y)(x,y) satisfies:

(x,y)-(p,q)=(p,q)-(a,b)(x,y)(p,q)=(p,q)(a,b)

(x,y)=(2p-a,2q-b)(x,y)=(2pa,2qb)

(x,y)=(2p-7,2q-3)(x,y)=(2p7,2q3)

We have (p,q)(p,q) on the line so 2p=9q-52p=9q5.

(x,y)=(9q-12,2q-3)=(-12,-3)+q(9,2)(x,y)=(9q12,2q3)=(12,3)+q(9,2)

The other endpoint (x,y)(x,y) makes a line through (-12,-3)(12,3) with direction vector (9,2)(9,2) meaning slope 2/9.29. Nonparametrically, that's the line

y+3 = 2/9(x+12)y+3=29(x+12)

9y+27=2x+249y+27=2x+24

9y-2x=-39y2x=3

That's parallel to the original line, as far from it as (7,3)(7,3) is.

Now let's ask which (x,y)(x,y) makes a perpendicular bisector to the line?

The direction of the segment is (x-a,y-b)=(x-7,y-3).(xa,yb)=(x7,y3). The direction of the line -2x+9y=52x+9y=5 is (9,2)(9,2) meaning for every 99 units xx increases we increase yy by 22 units.

We have perpendicularity when the dot product is zero:

(x-7,y-3) cdot(9,2) = 0(x7,y3)(9,2)=0

9(9q-12 - 7) + 2( 2q-3-3) = 09(9q127)+2(2q33)=0

85q - 183 = 085q183=0

q = 183/85q=18385

(x,y) = (9q-12,2q-3)=(627/85, 111/85)(x,y)=(9q12,2q3)=(62785,11185)

Check:

( (627/85,111/85)-(7,3) ) cdot (9,2) = 0 quad sqrt