A line segment is bisected by a line with the equation # 7 y + x = 1 #. If one end of the line segment is at #(1 ,6 )#, where is the other end?

1 Answer
bp
Jan 16, 2017

#( -34/50 , -288/50)#

Explanation:

There would be any number of points which when joined with (1,6) that would make a line segment, bisected by 7y+x=1.

However if the line 7y+x=1 is a perpendicular bisector, the required point would be unique.

Hence considering 7y+x=1 as a perpendicular bisector, let (a,b) be the required point. The midpoint of the line segment joining (1,6) and (a,b) would be #(a+1)/2, (b+6)/2#. Since this point would also lie on line 7y+x=1, #7(b+6)/2 +(a+1)/2 =1#. This on simplification would yield equation 7b+a=-41

Next, slope of line joining (1,6) and (a,b) is#(b-6)/(a-1)# and slope of the given line is #-1/7#. Since both are perpendicular to each other, #(b-6)/(a-1) * (-1/7)= -1#. On simplification, this would yield an equation 7a-b=1.

Solving the two equations 7b+a=-41 and 7a-b=1, the result would be #a= -34/50 and b= -288/50#

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