To find the equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining A(−2,3) and B(6,−5), we need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Determine the midpoint of the line segment AB.
The midpoint M of a line segment with endpoints (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) is given by the formula:
M=(2x1+x2,2y1+y2)
Substituting the coordinates of points A and B:
M=(2−2+6,23−5)
M=(24,2−2)
M=(2,−1)
So, the midpoint M of line segment AB is (2,−1).
Step 2: Find the slope of the line segment AB.
The slope m of a line passing through points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) is given by the formula:
m=x2−x1y2−y1
Substituting the coordinates of points A and B:
m=6−(−2)−5−3
m=6+2−8
m=8−8
m=−1
So, the slope of line segment AB is −1.
Step 3: Determine the slope of the perpendicular bisector.
The slope of the perpendicular bisector of a line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the line. Therefore, the slope mperpendicular is given by:
mperpendicular=−m1
Since m=−1:
mperpendicular=−−11
mperpendicular=1
So, the slope of the perpendicular bisector is 1.
Step 4: Use the point-slope form to write the equation of the perpendicular bisector.
The point-slope form of the equation of a line with slope m passing through point (x1,y1) is:
y−y1=m(x−x1)
Using the slope mperpendicular=1 and the midpoint (2,−1):
y−(−1)=1(x−2)
y+1=x−2
Rearranging to standard form:
x−y=3
Therefore, the equation of the perpendicular bisector is:
Option D: x−y=3