A line segment is bisected by a line with the equation # - y + 7 x = 1 #. If one end of the line segment is at #(1 ,3 )#, where is the other end?

1 Answer
Jun 1, 2016

Any point on the line #-y+7x=-2#

Explanation:

Note that #(x,y)=(1,6)# is a point on the line -y+7x=1#

The distance from #(1,3)# to #(1,6)# is #3#

The distance from #(1,3)# to #(1,6+3)=(1,9)# is #6#

#(1,3), (1,6), and (1,9)# are co-linear.

Therefore the line segment from #(1,3)# to #(1,9)# is bisected by the line #-y+7x=1#

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Furthermore a line segment between #(1,3)# and any point on a line through #(1,9)# parallel to #-y+7x=1#
will also be bisected by #-y+7x=1#

The equation of this line is
#color(white)("XXX")y-9=7(x-1)#
or
#color(white)("XXX")y-7x=2#
or, in a form similar to the given equation
#color(white)("XXX")-y+7x=-2#

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See similar problem solution at:
https://socratic.org/questions/a-line-segment-is-bisected-by-a-line-with-the-equation-2-y-x-1-if-one-end-of-the#272239
for a more detailed solution with diagrams