Find the equation of the set of points which are equidistant from the parallel lines x = 1 and x = 7
Answer Details
To find the set of points which are equidistant from the parallel lines x=1 and x=7, we can begin by finding the midpoint of the segment connecting the two parallel lines. The midpoint of the segment joining the two parallel lines is ((1+7)/2, 0) = (4,0). Now, let (x,y) be any point that is equidistant from the two parallel lines. Then, the distance from (x,y) to the line x=1 is |x-1|, and the distance from (x,y) to the line x=7 is |x-7|. Since the point (x,y) is equidistant from the two lines, we have: |x-1| = |x-7| Solving for x, we get: x-1 = -(x-7) or x-1 = x-7 Solving each equation for x, we get: x = 4 or x = -6 Since the distance from (x,y) to x=1 is the same as the distance from (x,y) to x=7, it follows that the set of points that are equidistant from the two parallel lines is the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the segment joining the two parallel lines, namely, the line x=4. Therefore, the equation of the set of points which are equidistant from the parallel lines x=1 and x=7 is x = 4. Thus, the correct option is x = 4.