Prove that the diagonals of the square with vertices P(0, …

Mathematics Questions

Prove that the diagonals of the square with vertices P(0, 4), Q(4, 4), R(0, 0), and S(4, 0) are perpendicular bisectors of each other. Step 1: Calculate the slope of the diagonals. What is the slope of diagonal PS and the slope of diagonal QR? Step 2: Calculate the midpoint of the diagonals. What are the midpoints of PS and QR? How can we conclude that the diagonals are perpendicular bisectors?

Short Answer

The proof shows that the diagonals of the square are perpendicular bisectors by calculating their slopes and midpoints. The slopes of the diagonals PS and QR are negative reciprocals, and both share the midpoint (2, 2), confirming they are perpendicular to each other and bisect each other.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Calculate the Slope of the Diagonals

To prove that the diagonals of the square are perpendicular bisectors, first, determine the slopes of the diagonals. The square has vertices P(0, 4), Q(4, 4), R(0, 0), and S(4, 0). You can calculate the slopes as follows:

  • The slope of diagonal PS is -1.
  • The slope of diagonal QR is 1.

Step 2: Determine the Midpoint of the Diagonals

Next, find the midpoints of both diagonals. Midpoints are essential to show that the diagonals bisect each other. The calculations yield:

  • The midpoint of diagonal PS is at (2, 2).
  • The midpoint of diagonal QR is also at (2, 2).

Step 3: Conclude the Proof

Finally, combine the results from the slopes and midpoints to establish that the diagonals are perpendicular bisectors. Since the slopes of PS and QR are negative reciprocals of each other and they share the same midpoint, this confirms that:

  • The diagonals are perpendicular to each other.
  • The diagonals bisect each other at the point (2, 2).
  • Thus, they are indeed perpendicular bisectors.

Related Concepts

Slope

The measure of the steepness or incline of a line, calculated as the change in the vertical direction divided by the change in the horizontal direction

Midpoint

The point that is exactly halfway between two endpoints of a line segment, found by averaging the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the endpoints

Perpendicular Bisector

A line that divides another line segment into two equal parts at a 90-degree angle, indicating that the two segments are equal in length and that the line intersects them at their midpoints.

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