LESSON

8.1
8.1 Perpendicular Bisectors Perpendicular
of Triangles Bisectors of
Essential Question: How can you use perpendicular bisectors to find the point
that is equidistant from all the vertices of a triangle?
Resource
Locker Triangles
Common Core Math Standards
Explore Constructing a Circumscribed Circle The student is expected to:
Y
A circle that contains all the vertices of a polygon is circumscribed about the polygon. COMMON
In the figure, circle C is circumscribed about △XYZ, and circle C is called the circumcircle
CORE G-C.A.3
of △XYZ. The center of the circumcircle is called the circumcenter of the triangle. C
X Construct the … circumscribed circles of a
In the following activity, you will construct the circumcircle of △PQR. Copy Z
the triangle onto a separate piece of paper. triangle … . Also G-CO.C.10, G-CO.D.12, G-GPE.B.4,
G-GPE.B.5
The circumcircle will pass through P, Q, and R. So, the Q
center of the circle must be equidistant from all three points. Mathematical Practices
In particular, the center must be equidistant from Q and R. COMMON
CORE MP.6 Precision
The set of points that are equidistant from Q and R is
_
called the ? of QR. Use a compass and straightedge C Language Objective
R
to construct the set of points. perpendicular bisector Work in small groups to match terms to picture cards.

 The center must also be equidistant from P and R. The set of P

points that are equidistant from P and R is called the
_ Online Resources
? of PR. Use a compass and straightedge to construct
the set of points. perpendicular bisector
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

An extra example for each Explain section is

The center must lie at the intersection of the two sets of 1. Yes; because P, Q, and R are all on available online.
points you constructed. Label the point C. Then place the the circumcircle you constructed in
point of your compass at C and open it to distance CP. the activity, C is the same distance
Draw the circumcircle. from all three points, so it is on
all three perpendicular bisectors.
Reflect
Check students’ constructions.
1. Make a Prediction Suppose you started by constructing the set of points equidistant
from P and Q and then constructed the set of points equidistant from Q and R.
Engage
Would you have found the same center? Check by doing this construction.
Essential Question: How can you use perpendicular
2. Can you locate the circumcenter of a triangle without using a compass and
straightedge? Explain. bisectors to find the point that is equidistant from
Yes; you can use paper folding to construct the perpendicular bisectors of the sides. Fold all the vertices of a triangle?
each side of the triangle over on itself so the endpoints meet. Their intersection is the
circumcenter of the triangle. Graph or find the equations for at least two of the
three perpendicular bisectors of the sides of the
Module 8 309 Lesson 1 triangle. The circumcenter, which is the point that is
equidistant from the vertices, will be located at the
Professional Development intersection of any of the two perpendicular bisectors.

Math Background
Preview: Lesson Performance Task
By constructing the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of many different
triangles, students can convince themselves that the following statement is likely
View the Engage section online. Discuss the
to be true: The perpendicular bisectors of the sides of any triangle intersect in a
photo, asking students to explain the meanings
point (are concurrent). The inductive approach described above may be convincing,
of the words botany, geology, and ecology. Then
but it does not constitute a proof. To prove the theorem, it is necessary to show
preview the Lesson Performance Task.
that the point of intersection of two of the perpendicular bisectors lies on the third.

Lesson 8.1 309

 Explain 1 Proving the Concurrency of a Triangle’s
Explore Perpendicular Bisectors
Three or more lines are concurrent if they intersect at the same point. The point of intersection
is called the point of concurrency. You saw in the Explore that the three perpendicular bisectors
Constructing a Circumscribed Circle of a triangle are concurrent. Now you will prove that the point of concurrency is the circumcenter
of the triangle. That is, the point of concurrency is equidistant from the vertices of the triangle.

Circumcenter Theorem
Integrate Technology The perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a B
Students have the option of doing the circumscribed triangle intersect at a point that is equidistant
from the vertices of the triangle. P
circle activity either in the book or online.
PA = PB = PC C
A

Example 1 Prove the Circumcenter Theorem. A

Questioning Strategies _ _ _
Given: Lines ℓ, m, and n are the perpendicular bisectors of AB, BC, and AC, ℓ
What is true of the intersection of perpendicular respectively. P is the intersection of ℓ, m, and n. n
P
bisectors of the sides of a triangle? The Prove: PA = PB = PC
B C
intersection is a point that is equidistant from the
vertices of a triangle. m

_
P is the intersection of ℓ, m, and n. Since P lies on the perpendicular_
bisector of AB, PA = PB by the Perpendicular
Bisector Theorem. Similarly, P lies on the perpendicular bisector of BC, so PB = PC. Therefore, PA = PB = PC by
the Transitive Property of Equality.

Explain 1 Reflect
3. You could draw different triangles and construct their circumcenters using
either a compass and straightedge or paper folding. The circumcenter of an
acute triangle is inside the triangle. The circumcenter of an obtuse triangle is
3. Discussion How might you determine whether the circumcenter of a outside the triangle. The
Proving the Concurrency of a Triangle’s triangle is always inside the triangle? Make a plan and then determine circumcenter of a right
Perpendicular Bisectors whether the circumcenter is always inside the triangle. triangle is on the triangle.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Explain 2 Using Properties of Perpendicular Bisectors
Integrate Mathematics Practices You can use the Circumcenter Theorem to find segment lengths in a triangle.
_ _ _
Focus on Math Connections Example 2 KZ, LZ, and MZ are the perpendicular bisectors of △GHJ. Use the
given information to find the length of each segment. Note that the
MP.1 Understanding the proof of the concurrency of figure is not drawn to scale.
a triangle’s perpendicular bisectors depends on
students understanding that all of the points on the H
perpendicular bisector of a segment are equidistant
from the endpoints of the segment. This is the K L
Perpendicular Bisector Theorem and its converse from Z

Module 4. You may want to review these theorems

G J
with students. M

Module 8 310 Lesson 1

Questioning Strategies
What do you have to do to construct the
circumcircle of a triangle? Find a point that is
equidistant from the vertices of the triangle. This
point is the center of the required circle, and its
radius is equal to the distance from the point to
any vertex.
Language Support
Connect Vocabulary
To help students remember the meanings of circumcenter and circumscribed,
remind them that the prefix circum- means around. Point out that circum- and circle
begin with the same four letters: circ.

310 Perpendicular Bisectors of Triangles

 Given: ZM = 7, ZJ = 25, HK = 20

Find: ZH and HG In the proof of the Circumcenter Theorem, why do

Z is the circumcenter of △GHJ, so ZG = ZH = ZJ. you show that the point of concurrency lies on the
ZJ = 25, so ZH = 25. perpendicular bisector of each side of the triangle?
_ If the point of concurrency is on the perpendicular
K is the midpoint of GH, so HG = 2 ⋅ KH = 2 ⋅ 20 = 40.
bisector of each side of the triangle, then it is
 Given: ZH = 85, MZ = 13, HG = 136 equidistant from each vertex of the triangle. This
Find: KG and ZJ
makes the distances from each vertex possible radii of
_ __1 __1 the same circle.
K is the midpoint of HG, so KG = 2 HG = 2
· 136 = 68 .

Z is the circumcenter of △GHJ, so ZG = ZH = ZJ.

ZH = 85, so ZJ = 85.

Reflect
Explain 2
4. In △ABC, ∠ACB is a right angle and D is the circumcenter of the triangle. If CD = 6.5, Using Properties of Perpendicular
what is AB? Explain your reasoning.
13; D is the circumcenter of the triangle, so Bisectors
DA = DB = DC. C
Then AB = AD + DB = CD + CD = 2(6.5) = 13.

A B
Integrate Mathematical Practices
D
Focus on Modeling
MP.4 Have students copy a larger version of the
Your Turn
triangle in the example, and construct the
¯, LZ
KZ ¯, and MZ
¯ are the perpendicular bisectors of △GHJ. Copy the sketch and label
the given information. Use that information to find the length of each segment. Note
circumcenter of the triangle by paper folding. Discuss
that the figure is not drawn to scale. the point of concurrency and the Circumcenter
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Theorem, and how the perpendicular bisectors each

H
divide sides of a triangle at midpoints. Remind
students of how they constructed perpendicular
K L
Z bisectors in Module 4.

G J
M
Z is the circumcenter of △GHJ, so ZG = ZH = ZJ. Questioning Strategies
ZG = 65, so ZJ = 65. How does a perpendicular bisector divide a
5. Given: ZG = 65, HL = 63, ZL = 16
L is the midpoint of ¯
HJ, so HJ = 2 · HL = 2 · 63 = 126. triangle? The perpendicular bisector of a triangle
Find: HJ and ZJ
¯, so GM = _
M is the midpoint of GJ 1
GJ = _
1
⋅ 120 = 60. divides it at the midpoint of the side of the triangle.
6. Given: ZM = 25, ZH = 65, GJ = 120 2 2
Find: GM and ZG Z is the circumcenter of △GHJ, so ZG = ZH = ZJ. What is true of the circumcenter of a triangle? The
ZH = 65, so ZG = 65. point is equidistant from the three triangle vertices.
Module 8 311 Lesson 1
What is the advantage in exploring circumcenters
with geometry software rather than by drawing
Differentiate Instruction
triangles and perpendicular bisectors with a compass
Multiple Representations and straightedge? The software makes it easy to
Have students find the circumcenter of a triangle by paper folding. Then compare change the size and shape of the triangle to see how
this to how to find the circumcenter of a triangle in the coordinate plane, which the circumcenter changes.
may involve finding the intersection of the equations of lines. Finally, have students
use geometry software to construct a triangle and the perpendicular bisectors of
the sides. Have them drag a vertex of the triangle to change its shape and note
that the perpendicular bisectors are still concurrent.

Lesson 8.1 311

 Explain 3 Finding a Circumcenter on
Explain 3 a Coordinate Plane
Given the vertices of a triangle, you can graph the triangle and use the graph to find the circumcenter of the triangle.

Finding a Circumcenter on a Example 3 Graph the triangle with the given vertices and find the
circumcenter of the triangle.
Coordinate Plane
R( -6, 0 ), S( 0, 4 ), O( 0, 0 )

Step 1: Graph the triangle. y

Integrate Technology x = -3 6
_
Step 2: Find equations for two perpendicular bisectors. Side RO is on S
Some properties of a circumcenter on a coordinate the x-axis, so its perpendicular bisector is vertical:
plane that students can verify using a geometry y=2 (-3, 2)
the line x = -3. 2
program are that the circumcenter is the middle point _ x
Side SO is on the y-axis, so its perpendicular bisector
of the circumscribed circle; the circumcenter is exactly R -4 0 O
is horizontal: the line y = 2.
-2
the same distance from each vertex; the circumcenter
Step 3: Find the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors.
may be located outside of the triangle or it may be The lines x = -3 and y = 2 intersect at (-3, 2).
located on the triangle. You might also ask students to (-3, 2) is the circumcenter of △ROS.
use the geometry software to find the equations of
A(-1, 5), B(5, 5), C(5, -1) y
the perpendicular bisectors of the sides, and the  7 x=2
intersection point of the perpendicular bisectors. Step 1 Graph the triangle. A (-1, 5) B (5, 5)

Step 2 Find equations for two perpendicular bisectors.

_ 3
Side AB is horizontal, so its perpendicular bisector is vertical.
_
Questioning Strategies The perpendicular bisector of AB is the line x = 2. y=2
_ 1 x
Side BC is vertical, so the perpendicular bisector of
_ -2 0
How do you find the circumcenter of a triangle BC is the horizontal line y = 2. 2 4 6
-2 C (5, -1)
when given the coordinates of the three
Step 3 Find the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors.
vertices? You graph the triangle, find the The lines x = 2 and y = 2 intersect at (2, 2).

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

equations of the perpendicular bisectors of two
sides of the triangle, then find the intersection
point of the two equations.
Avoid Common Errors
Students may be confused when asked to calculate
(2, 2) is the circumcenter of △ABC.
Reflect
7. Draw Conclusions Could a vertex of a triangle also be its circumcenter?
If so, provide an example. If not, explain why not. No; possible answer: if the vertex were the
circumcenter, the distance from all of the vertices to the circumcenter would have to
Your Turn
be 0. The vertices cannot all be the same point.
Graph the triangle with the given vertices and find the circumcenter of the triangle.

the radius of the circumcircle. The radius is the same 8. Q(-4, 0), R(0, 0), S(0, 6) 9. K(1, 1), L(1, 7), M(6, 1)

as the distance from the circumcenter to any vertex. The circumcenter of △QRS is (-2, 3) The circumcenter of △KLM is (3.5, 4).
Check students’ graphs.
In the coordinate plane, they can use the distance
formula to find the radius. 8–9. For graphs, see Additional Answers.

Module 8 312 Lesson 1

Collaborative Learning
Whole Class Activity
Give students a triangular region in the plane and a triangle drawn on the
coordinate plane. Have students construct the perpendicular bisectors of the
triangle in the plane and identify the circumcenter of the triangle. Ask a volunteer
to explain how it was identified. Then ask students to locate the circumcenter for
the triangle drawn on the coordinate plane. They should give the equations of the
perpendicular bisectors of the triangle’s sides and the coordinates of their
intersection point. Ask a volunteer to explain the process, then compare the two
methods as a class.

312 Perpendicular Bisectors of Triangles

 10. Draw the segments connecting the three cities and construct the
perpendicular bisectors of two of the segments. The intersection of the
Elaborate
perpendicular bisectors is equidistant from the three cities.
10. A company that makes and sells bicycles has its largest stores in three cities. The company
wants to build a new factory that is equidistant from each of the stores. Given a map,
Elaborate
how could you identify the location for the new factory?
11. A sculptor builds a mobile in which a triangle rotates around its circumcenter. Each
vertex traces the shape of a circle as it rotates. What circle does it trace? Explain. See below.
Questioning Strategies
12. What If? Suppose you _are given the vertices of a triangle PQR. You plot the points in a coordinate
plane and notice that PQ is horizontal but neither of the other sides is vertical. How can you identify the Why isn’t the circumcenter always inside the
circumcenter of the triangle? Justify your reasoning. See below.
perimeter of the triangle? The lines representing
13. Essential Question Check-In How is the point that is equidistant from the three vertices of a triangle
related to the circumcircle of the triangle? the perpendicular bisectors of the triangle give the
The point is the center of the circumcircle, or the circumcenter of the triangle. circumcenter, and these lines may intersect outside
or on the triangle.
Evaluate: Homework and Practice How many perpendicular bisectors do you need to
Copy each triangle and construct its circumcircle. Label the circumcenter P. t
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)PNFXPSL construct to find the circumcenter of a triangle?
t
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BOE
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t
&YUSB
1SBDUJDF Explain. Two; since all three perpendicular bisectors
1. 2. A
intersect in the same point, you need only two lines
A
to determine the point.

P
B C
3. B 4.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
P
Summarize The Lesson
C B What feature can you use to describe the
circumcenter of a triangle? Sample answer: The
circumcenter is the point that is equidistant from each
of the vertices of the triangle.
A

A C
B

P P Evaluate

Assignment Guide
C
Level Concepts Practice
11. The circumcircle of the triangle. Each vertex is on the circumcircle. As the mobile
rotates, each vertex moves to other points on the circumcircle. and Skills
Basic Explore Exercises 1–4
12. Choose one of the other sides. Use the opposite of the reciprocal of its slope and the
coordinates of its midpoint to write an equation of its perpendicular bisector in Example 1 Exercise 9
point-slope form. The perpendicular bisector of a segment passes through its Example 2 Exercises 5–7
midpoint, and its slope is the opposite of the reciprocal of the slope of the segment.
Example 3 Exercises 11–12
Module 8 313 Lesson 1 H.O.T. Exercise 14
Average Explore Exercises 1, 3
Example 1 Exercises 9–10
COMMON
Exercise Depth of Knowledge (D.O.K.) CORE Mathematical Practices Example 2 Exercises 5–8
Example 3 Exercises 11–13
1–4 1 Recall of information MP.4 Modeling H.O.T. Exercises 14–15
5–13 2 Skills/Concepts MP.2 Reasoning Advanced Explore N/A
14 3 Strategic Thinking MP.3 Logic Example 1 Exercises 9–10
Example 2 Exercises 5–8
15 3 Strategic Thinking MP.3 Logic
Example 3 Exercises 11–13
16 3 Strategic Thinking MP.6 Precision H.O.T. Exercises 14–16

Real World Problems

Lesson 8.1 313

 ¯¯
Use the diagram for Exercise 5–8. ZD, ZE, and ¯
ZF A
are the perpendicular bisectors of △ABC. Use the given
Integrate Mathematical Practices information to find the length of each segment. Note that the
Focus on Reasoning figure is not drawn to scale.

MP.2 Encourage students to try different types of 5. Given: DZ = 40, ZA = 85, FC = 77 D F

Z
triangles when testing the validity of statements in the Find: ZC and AC See margin.

exercises. 6. Given: FZ = 36, ZA = 85, AB = 150

B C
Find: AD and ZB See margin. E

7. Given: AZ = 85, ZE = 51 Z is the circumcenter of △ABC, so ZA = ZB = ZC.

Avoid Common Errors AZ = 85, so ZC = 85.
Find: BC
By the Pythagorean Theorem, EC 2 = ZC 2 - ZE 2 = 85 2 - 51 2 = 4624.
When learning to find the circumcenter, students may (Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.) ――
Then EC = √4624 = 68. So, BC = 2 ⋅ 68 = 136.
use only an equilateral triangle. Encourage them to use 8. Analyze Relationships How can you write an algebraic expression for the radius of the circumcircle of
other types of triangles to discover the various positions △ABC in Exercises 5–7? Explain. ZA, ZB, or ZC; the radius of the circumcircle is the distance
from Z to a vertex of the triangle.
of the points of concurrency. Copy and complete the table to prove the Circumcenter Theorem.
_ _ _
9. Given: Lines ℓ, m, and n are the perpendicular bisectors of AB, BC, and AC, A
respectively. P is the intersection of ℓ, m, and n.
ℓ
Prove: PA = PB = PC n
Integrate Mathematical Practices P

Focus on Math Connections B C

MP.1 When students are given the coordinates of the m

vertices of a triangle, encourage them to graph the
triangle first and then find the midpoints of the sides. Statements Reasons
Then have them find the equation of each 1. Lines ℓ, m, and
_ n_ are the_perpendicular 1. ? Given
perpendicular bisector the opposite reciprocal of bisectors of AB, BC, and AC.

the slope of a side of the triangle and the midpoint of 2. P is the intersection of ℓ, m, and n. 2. ? Given
that side. Remind them that they need to find the

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

_
equations of only two perpendicular bisectors of the 3. PA = ? PB 3. P lies on the perpendicular bisector of AB.
triangle. They should find the point where the
_
perpendicular bisectors intersect using a system of 4. ? = PC PB 4. P lies on the perpendicular bisector of BC.

equations or other algebraic method.

5. PA = ? = ? 5. ? Transitive Property of Equality
PB PC

Journal
Have students describe how they remember that the
circumcenter is the intersection of the perpendicular
bisectors of the sides of the triangle.

Module 8 314 Lesson 1

Answers
5. Z is the circumcenter of △ABC, so ZA = ZB = ZC.
ZA = 85, so ZC = 85.
F is the midpoint of AC, so
AC = 2 ⋅ FC = 2 ⋅ 77 = 154.

6. D is the midpoint of AB, so AD = __

1
2
AB = __ ⋅ 150 = 75.
1
2
Z is the circumcenter of △ABC, so ZA = ZB = ZC.
ZA = 85, so ZB = 85.

314 Perpendicular Bisectors of Triangles

 _ _ _ _ _ _
10. PK, PL, and PM are the perpendicular bisectors of sides AB, BC, and AC. Tell whether the given statement
is justified or not justified by the figure.
P
a. AK = KB Justified Online Resources
b. PA = PB Justified
c. PM = PL Not Justified B
t
1SBDUJDF
BOE
1SPCMFN
4PMWJOH
UISFF
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1 BC Justified K t
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d. BL = _ L
2
e. PK = KD Not Justified A
M C
t
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4USBUFHJFT
D
t
4VDDFTT
GPS
&OHMJTI
-FBSOFST
Graph the triangle with the given vertices and find the circumcenter of the triangle.
11–12. For graphs, see margin.
11. D(-5, 0), E(0, 0), F(0, 7) (-2.5, 3.5) Name ________________________________________ Date __________________ Class __________________

LESSON
Perpendicular Bisectors of Triangles
8-1
12. Q(3, 4), R(7, 4), S(3, -2) (5, 1) Practice and Problem Solving: A/B

Use the figure for Problems 1–4.

1. Given that line p is the perpendicular bisector of XZ
13. Represent Real-World Problems For the next Fourth of and XY 15.5, find ZY. _________________
July, the towns of Ashton, Bradford, and Clearview will launch Ashton 2. Given that XZ 38, YX 27, and YZ 27,
a fireworks display from a boat in the lake. Draw a sketch to find ZW. _________________
Bradford
show where the boat should be positioned so that it is the same 3. Given that line p is the perpendicular bisector of XZ,
Clearview
distance from all three towns. Justify your sketch. XY 4n, and YZ 14, find n. _________________

6x  1, and XZ 10x  16, find ZW. _________________

See margin. 4. Given that XY ZY, WX

Use the figure for Problems 5–6. SV , TV , and UV are

perpendicular bisectors of the sides of PQR. Find each length. +
5. RV _________________ 6. TR _________________
H.O.T. Focus on Higher Order Thinking
Find the circumcenter of the triangle with the given vertices.
7. A(0, 0), B(0, 5), C(5, 0) 8. D(0, 7), E(3, 1), F(3, 1)
14. Analyze Relationships Explain how can you draw a triangle JKL whose circumcircle has a radius of (_____________, _____________) (_____________, _____________)

8 centimeters. See margin. Use the graph of 'ABC to complete Problems 9–15.
_ _ _ 9. Draw a perpendicular bisector to CB on the graph.
15. Persevere in Problem Solving ZD, ZE, and ZF are the perpendicular bisectors of △ABC, which is not 10. Use the midpoint formula to determine the

drawn to scale. midpoint of AC. _________________

A 11. What is the slope of AC ? _________________

12. What is slope of a line perpendicular to

AC ? _________________

13. Use the point-slope form to find the equation

of the perpendicular bisector of AC. _________________

D F 14. Draw the perpendicular bisector of AC.

Z 15. What is the point where the lines intersect called? _________________
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Original content Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
138

B C
E

a. Suppose that ZB = 145, ZD = 100, and ZF = 17. How can you find AB and AC?
b. Find AB and AC. Answers
c. Can you find BC? If so, explain how and find BC. If not, explain why not.
¯ is a leg of right triangle △ZBD and ¯
a. To find AB, note that DB ZB is the hypotenuse. Use 11. y
the Pythagorean Theorem to find DB and multiply by 2 because D is the midpoint of ¯ AB. x = -2.5 F
To find AC, use the same method, noting first that ZC = ZB because C is the circumcenter 6
of △ABC. Also, ¯ZF is a leg of right triangle △ZCF and ¯ ZC is the hypotenuse.
b. AB = 210 4
AC = 288 y = 3.5
c. No; the only information given about isosceles △ZBC is the length of 2
two sides, which is insufficient for finding BC.
D E x
Module 8 315 Lesson 1
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315
 16. Multiple Representations Given the vertices A(-2, -2), y
6
B(4, 0), and C(4, 4) of a triangle, the graph shows how you can use a
Integrate Mathematical Practices
_ P of the triangle.
graph and construction to locate the circumcenter 4 C (4, 4)
Focus on Reasoning _ bisector of CB and construct the
You can draw the perpendicular
perpendicular bisector of AB. Consider how you could identify
MP.2 The landscape architect in the Lesson P algebraically. See margin.
_ B (4, 0)x
Performance Task could have sketched the triangle a. The perpendicular bisector of AB passes through its_ midpoint. -4 -2 0 2 4 6
Use the Midpoint Formula to find the midpoint of AB.
anywhere on the coordinate plane. What advantage _ -2
b. What is the slope m of the perpendicular bisector of AB? Explain A (-2, -2)
did she gain by drawing the triangle with one side on -4
how you found it.
the x-axis and one vertex at the origin? Sample _
c. Write an equation of the perpendicular bisector of AB and
answer: Doing so gave her a midpoint of one side of explain how you can use it find P.
the triangle with one coordinate of zero (9, 0) and a
vertex with two coordinates of zeros (0, 0). The zeros Lesson Performance Task
greatly simplify the calculation of the length of the
A landscape architect wants to plant a circle of flowers around a triangular garden. She has sketched the triangle on a
radius when it comes time to apply the Pythagorean coordinate grid with vertices at A(0, 0), B(8, 12), and C(18, 0).
Theorem.
y
16
B (8, 12)
12
Integrate Mathematical Practices 8
Focus on Critical Thinking
4
MP.3 Explain how the landscape architect can find x
the area of the circle of flowers that lies outside the A (0, 0) 4 8 12 16 C (18, 0)
triangular garden. She can subtract the area of the
triangle from the area of the circle.
Explain how the architect can find the center of the circle that will circumscribe triangle ABC. Then find the radius of
the circumscribed circle.
Answers will vary. Students can sketch the perpendicular bisectors to find the

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

circumcenter of the triangle and estimate its coordinates to be approximately
(9, 2.5).
Answers The radius of the circle can be found using the Pythagorean Theorem with the
_
triangle formed by A(0, 0), the midpoint of AC (9, 0), and the circumcenter
16a. M = (1, -1)
(9, 2.5).
16b. m = -3; m is the opposite of the reciprocal of r 2 = 9 2 + (2.5)
2

0 - (-2) __
y 2 - y 1 _________
the slope of AB, _______ 1
x 2 - x 1 = 4 - (-2) = 3 . r 2 = 81 + 6.25
――
r = √87.25 ≈ 9.3
16c. Use the point-slope form of a linear equation: The radius of the circle is approximately 9.3 feet.
y - y 1 = m(x - x 1); y - (-1) = -3(x - 1); _8 = 2.6667. This will
(Note: the actual y-coordinate of the circumcenter is
y + 1 = -3x + 3; y = -3x + 2. Find the 3
change the final result to approximately 9.4 feet.)
intersection of that line and the perpendicular
316
bisector of CB, y = 2. The lines intersect at (0, 2),
Module 8 Lesson 1

the circumcenter P of the triangle.

Extension Activity
Lesson Performance Task Review dilations. Have students chose a scale factor, and then use it to dilate the
triangle in the Performance Task on the same coordinate grid. Ask students to find
Scoring Rubric
the circumcenter of the new triangle.
Points Criteria
t
What do you notice about the circumcenter of the new triangle?
2 Student correctly solves the problem and explains
his/her reasoning. Sample answer: It is the same point as the circumcenter of the original.
1 Student shows good understanding of the t
Make a conjecture as to why that might be the case.
problem but does not fully solve or explain his/ Sample answer: Dilating a figure changes its size but not its shape. The
her reasoning.
relative location of a triangle’s circumcenter must depend on its shape and
0 Student does not demonstrate understanding of
the problem.
not its size.

316 Perpendicular Bisectors of Triangles