I need help solving this problem. Thanks

9514 1404 393

  y = -4/7x +58/7

Step-by-step explanation:

The slope of the given line segment is ...

  m = (y2 -y1)/(x2 -x1)

  m = (17 -3)/(1 -(-7)) = 14/8 = 7/4

Then the slope of the perpendicular line is ...

  -1/m = -4/7 . . . . . slope of the perpendicular bisector.

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The midpoint of the given line segment is ...

  M = 1/2(x1 +x2, y1 +y2)

  M = (1/2)(-7 +1, 3 +17) = 1/2(-6, 20) = (-3, 10)

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The y-intercept of the bisector can be found from ...

  b = y -mx

  b = 10 -(-4/7)(-3) = 10 -12/7 = 58/7

Then the slope-intercept form equation for the perpendicular bisector is ...

  y = mx +b

  y = -4/7x +58/7