Question

The given line segment has a midpoint at (−1, −2).

On a coordinate plane, a line goes through (negative 5, negative 3), (negative 1, negative 2), and (3, negative 1).

What is the equation, in slope-intercept form, of the perpendicular bisector of the given line segment?

y = −4x − 4
y = −4x − 6
y = One-fourthx – 4
y = One-fourthx – 6

Answer 1

Slope of the segment between (−5,−3) and (3,−1) is (−1 − (−3))/(3 − (−5)) = 2/8 = 1/4.
Perpendicular slope = −4. Use point-slope with midpoint (−1,−2):

y + 2 = −4(x + 1) → y = −4x − 6.

Answer: y = −4x − 6.