After a reflection, pre-image coordinate Y (-3, 2) results in the image coordinate of Y' (2, -3). What is the line of reflection? (1 point)

Responses

x-axis
x-axis

y-axis
y-axis

y = x
y = x

y = -1

1 answer

To find the line of reflection that transforms the coordinate \( Y(-3, 2) \) into \( Y'(2, -3) \), we can determine the midpoint between the original point and its image. The line of reflection will be the perpendicular bisector of the segment connecting these two points.

Step 1: Calculate the midpoint.

The midpoint \( M \) of points \( (-3, 2) \) and \( (2, -3) \) is given by:

\[ M = \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right) = \left( \frac{-3 + 2}{2}, \frac{2 + (-3)}{2} \right) = \left( \frac{-1}{2}, \frac{-1}{2} \right) \]

So, the midpoint \( M \) is \( \left( -\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{1}{2} \right) \).

Step 2: Find the slope of line segment \( YY' \).

The slope \( m \) from \( Y \) to \( Y' \) is:

\[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} = \frac{-3 - 2}{2 - (-3)} = \frac{-5}{5} = -1 \]

Step 3: Find the slope of the perpendicular bisector.

The slope of the perpendicular bisector will be the negative reciprocal of \( -1 \), which is \( 1 \).

Step 4: Write the equation of the line.

Using the point-slope form of a line:

\[ y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) \]

Using the midpoint \( M\left(-\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{1}{2}\right) \) and slope \( 1 \):

\[ y + \frac{1}{2} = 1\left( x + \frac{1}{2} \right) \]

This simplifies to:

\[ y + \frac{1}{2} = x + \frac{1}{2} \] \[ y = x \]

Thus, the line of reflection is:

\[ \boxed{y = x} \]