Theorem: Points on a perpendicular bisector of a line segment are exactly those

equidistant from the segments endpoints.

Mind Map: Heres an example of my mind map. The term perpendicular bisector
can be broken down into perpendicular and bisector, and I just write down words
that I associate with each step. Note that this is NOT my proof, only ideas for plans
of the proof! The green dot is where we start, the blue dots are steps that I might
take, and the red dots are where I think I would end.

Congruent
Triangles

Congruent
Correspondi
ng Sides
and Angles

Perpendicul
ar

Perpendicul
ar Bisector

Right
Angles,
Right
Triangles

Congruent
Triangles

Congruent
Segments

Midpoints

Bisector

Congruent
Correspondi
ng Sides
and Angles

Formal Write-Up: Note that this will be originally created in Google Docs, then
printed out.
Theorem: If a point P is on the perpendicular bisector of line segment
P is equidistant to points A and B, i.e.,

, then
AB

PB
.
PA

Proof 1: Given: As shown in the diagram, we have

segment
Since

PD

, and perpendicular bisector

AB
is the perpendicular bisector to

PD
.

, PDB
AB

and PDA are right angles, and D is the midpoint of

. Since D is the midpoint of

AB

, we can say that

AB

DB
. Further, note that triangle PDA and triangle
AD
PDB share side

, we know that
PD

by Side-Angle-Side congruence, we know that

PD
. Then,
PD

PDA PDB . Therefore, since

the two triangles are congruent, corresponding sides are congruent. Therefore,

PB
, and P is equidistant to points A and B.
PA
Proof 2 (Converse): Given: As shown in the diagram,
we have segment
with

AB

and constructed triangle PAB

PB
. Using triangle PAB, we construct
PA

rhombus PADB. Since PADB is a rhombus, it is a

parallelogram (since a rhombus is a special case of a
parallelogram), and the diagonals bisect each other. So,

EB

AE

and

ED
. Then, PAE PEB by SidePE

Side- Side. Then, corresponding angles are congruent,

and

PEA PEB . However, note that

PEA+ PEB =180 , since they are

supplementary angles. Then, by substitution, we have

PEA+ PEB = PEA + PEA =2 PEA =180 , and PEA= PEB=90 .

Hence, by definition, PE is the perpendicular bisector of AB .