Chapter 1: Problem 37
Find the coordinates of the midpoint of a segment having the given endpoints. $$A(8,4), B(12,2)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The midpoint of the segment with endpoints \(A(8,4)\) and \(B(12,2)\) is \(M(10,3)\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the formula
The formula to find the midpoint M of a line segment with endpoints \( A(x_1, y_1) \) and \( B(x_2, y_2) \) is:\[ M = \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right) \]
02
Substitute the coordinates
Now, substitute the coordinates of the endpoints into the midpoint formula:- \( x_1 = 8 \), \( y_1 = 4 \)- \( x_2 = 12 \), \( y_2 = 2 \)Thus, the formula becomes:\[ M = \left( \frac{8 + 12}{2}, \frac{4 + 2}{2} \right) \]
03
Calculate the sums
First, calculate the sum for the x-coordinates: \( x_1 + x_2 = 8 + 12 = 20 \).Then, calculate the sum for the y-coordinates:\( y_1 + y_2 = 4 + 2 = 6 \).
04
Divide by 2
Continue by dividing each sum by 2 to find the coordinates of the midpoint:For the x-coordinate: \( \frac{20}{2} = 10 \).For the y-coordinate: \( \frac{6}{2} = 3 \).
05
Write the midpoint coordinates
Combine the results to determine the coordinates of the midpoint: \( M(10, 3) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Coordinates
Coordinates are pairs of numbers that describe the position of a point in a two-dimensional space. In geometry, the coordinate system is usually based on the Cartesian plane, which consists of two perpendicular number lines that intersect at a point called the origin.
- The pair is always written in the form \( (x, y) \), where \(x\) is the horizontal position, and \(y\) is the vertical position.
- Coordinates allow us to pinpoint the precise location of a point on the plane.
Endpoints Explained
Endpoints are the two points that form the ends of a line segment. When you imagine a line segment, picture it as a straight path connecting two endpoints. These two points will have their own coordinates that define their positions on the Cartesian plane.
- In our problem, the endpoints are \( A(8,4) \) and \( B(12,2) \).
- The endpoints are critical for determining the midpoint of the segment.
Getting to Know the Line Segment
A line segment is part of a line that is bounded by two distinct endpoints. Unlike lines, segments do not stretch out infinitely. They have a specific start and end point, which makes them convenient for geometric calculations.
- Each line segment in a graph is made up by connecting two endpoints with a straight line.
- The segment forms a finite length, which can be calculated as the distance between the two endpoints.
The Concept of the X-Coordinate
The x-coordinate is part of the coordinate pair that indicates the horizontal position of a point within the Cartesian plane. It is the first number in a pair \( (x, y) \) and tells us how far the point is from the y-axis.
- In the midpoint formula, we add the x-coordinates and then divide by 2.
- This gives us the x-coordinate of the midpoint, which tells us the central horizontal position of the line segment.
What is the Y-Coordinate?
The y-coordinate determines the vertical position of a point in a two-dimensional plane. It is the second number in the coordinate pair \( (x, y) \), reflecting the distance above or below the x-axis.
- To find the y-coordinate of the midpoint, sum the y-coordinates of the endpoints and divide by 2.
- This calculation results in the midpoint's vertical position along the y-axis.