Tricky Straight Line Graphs

P has coordinates (-3, 1)

Q has coordinates (7, 10)

Line l is the perpendicular bisector of the line segment PQ.

Find the equation of the line l.

(5 marks)

The key skills:

Finding the Midpoint a. (2, 5) and (4, 11)

Find the midpoint for each

pair of coordinates. b. (-3, 6) and (2, 15)
x1 + x2 y1 + y2
Midpoint = ( 2 , 2 )
c. (5, -4) and (-1, -9)

Calculating Gradients a. (2, 5) and (4, 11)

Find the gradient of the

line joining each pair b. (-1, 6) and (2, 15)
of coordinates.
y2 - y1
Gradient = x - x c. (4, 1) and (-1, 2)
2 1

Equations of Straight
Line Graphs

Find the equation of the line

perpendicular to c) in the
question above which passes
through the point (1, 4).

Now try the original question!

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Tricky Straight Line Graphs - Answers
P has coordinates (-3, 1)
Q has coordinates (7, 10)

Line l is the perpendicular bisector of the line segment PQ.

Find the equation of the line l.

10 - 1 9 10
The gradient of PQ is given as 7 - -3 = 10 (1 mark), therefore the gradient of the perpendicular is - 9
(1 mark).

The midpoint of PQ is (2, 5.5) (1 mark), so using y = mx + c gives

10
5.5 = - 9 × 2 + c (1 mark).
139
c = 18
10 139
The equation is y = - 9 x + 18 (1 mark).
The key skills:
Finding the Midpoint a. (2, 5) and (4, 11)
(3, 8)
Find the midpoint for each
pair of coordinates. b. (-3, 6) and (2, 15)
x1 + x2 y1 + y2 (-0.5, 10.5)
Midpoint = ( 2 , 2 )
c. (5, -4) and (-1, -9)
(2, -6.5)
Calculating Gradients a. (2, 5) and (4, 11)
3
Find the gradient of the
line joining each pair b. (-1, 6) and (2, 15)
of coordinates. 3
y2 - y1
Gradient = x - x c. (4, 1) and (-1, 2)
2 1
- 15
Equations of Straight The line perpendicular to the one in question c must have a gradient
Line Graphs of 5 since - 15 × 5 = -1.

Find the equation of the line y = 5x + c

perpendicular to c) in the 4=5×1+c
question above which passes 4=5+c
through the point (1, 4). c = -1
y = 5x - 1

Now try the original question!

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