2770.51 – Moving Line


Given two lines, f(x)=3x+1f(x)=3x+1 and g(x)=52xg(x)=5-2x as well as a third line L1:y=mx+cL_1:y=mx+c with m>0m>0 and cc a constant. L1L_1 moves parallel to itself and intersects the two given lines at two points: P1P_1 and P2P_2. The locus of midpoints of line segment P1P2P_1 P_2 is line L2L_2. Find the slope of L1L_1 so that the slope of L2L_2 is undefined.

  1. 1/3
  2. 1/2
  3. 2/3
  4. 1
  5. 3/2

To put it another way, find the slope of L1L_1 so that, as it moves up and down while maintaining the same slope, the midpoint of the line segment formed by connecting the two places where L1L_1 intersects f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x) will always have the same xx-value.


Solution