The base of an isosceles triangle lies on the line x-2y=6, the opposite vertex is (1,5), and the slope of one side is 3. How do you find the coordinates of the other vertices?

1 Answer
Feb 21, 2016

Two vertices are (-2,-4) and (10,2)

Explanation:

First let us find the midpoint of the base. As base is on x-2y=6, perpendicular from vertex (1,5) will have equation 2x+y=k and as it passes through (1,5), k=2*1+5=7. Hence equation of perpendicular from vertex to base is 2x+y=7.

Intersection of x-2y=6 and 2x+y=7 will give us midpoint of base. For this, solving these equations (by putting value of x=2y+6 in second equation 2x+y=7) gives us

2(2y+6)+y=7
or 4y+12+y=7
or 5y=-5.

Hence, y=-1 and putting this in x=2y+6, we get x=4, i.e. mid point of base is (4,-1).

Now, equation of a line having a slope of 3 is y=3x+c and as it passes through (1,5), c=y-3x=5-1*3=2 i.e. equation of line is y=3x+2

Intersection of x-2y=6 and y=3x+2, should there give us one of the vertices. Solving them, we get y=3(2y+6)+2 or y=6y+20 or y=-4. Then x=2*(-4)+6=-2 and hence one vertex is at (-2,-4).

We know that one of the vertices on base is (-2,-4), let other vertex be (a,b) and hence midpoint will be given by ((a-2)/2,(b-4)/2). But we have midpoint as (4,-1).

Hence (a-2)/2=4 and (b-4)/2=-1 or a=10 and b=2.

Hence two vertices are (-2,-4) and (10,2)