Question 60·Hard·Systems of Two Linear Equations in Two Variables
The graph shows lines and in the -plane.
Line is defined by the equation . Line passes through the points and shown on the graph.
Line is perpendicular to line and passes through the midpoint of segment . If the solution to the system consisting of lines and is , which choice is the value of ?
When a new line is defined using a graphed line (like “perpendicular to through the midpoint of ”), break it into steps: (1) find the slope of the graphed line, (2) convert to the perpendicular slope via the negative reciprocal, (3) find the required point (here, the midpoint), and (4) write the new line’s equation and solve the resulting two-equation system. Save the requested expression evaluation for the end to avoid compounding arithmetic errors.
Hints
Start with line
Use the coordinates of and to find the slope of line .
Build the perpendicular line
The slope of a line perpendicular to is the negative reciprocal. Use that slope and the midpoint of to write an equation for line .
Solve the system you actually need
Solve the system formed by line and line (not line and line ), then plug the solution into .
Desmos Guide
Graph line
Enter 5x-2y=4.
Graph line from its two points
Plot the points and , then enter the line through them (for example, y=(-3/4)x+8).
Create the midpoint and perpendicular line
Compute the midpoint . Since line has slope , a perpendicular line has slope . Enter y-5=(4/3)(x-4) to graph line .
Find the intersection and evaluate
Click the intersection of lines and to get . Then evaluate 12y-6x by substituting those coordinate values (use parentheses).
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the slope of line
From the graph, and lie on line .
The slope of is
Find the midpoint of
The midpoint of is
Write an equation for the perpendicular line
A line perpendicular to slope has slope (the negative reciprocal).
Using point-slope form through :
In slope-intercept form,
Solve the system of and
Rewrite line in slope-intercept form:
Set the two expressions for equal:
Multiply by :
Then
Evaluate
Substitute and :
Therefore, the value of is .