Question
The perpendicular bisector of the line segment connecting the points $(-3,8)$ and $(-5,4)$ has an equation of the form $y = mx + b$. Find $m+b$.
Answers
R_scott
the midpoint of the segment is ...(-4,6)
the slope of the segment is ... 2
... the slope of the perpendicular is the negative-reciprocal ... m = -1/2
using point-slope ... y - 6 = -1/2 (x - -4)
y = -1/2 x + 4
the slope of the segment is ... 2
... the slope of the perpendicular is the negative-reciprocal ... m = -1/2
using point-slope ... y - 6 = -1/2 (x - -4)
y = -1/2 x + 4