Chapter 0: Problem 8
Calculate the distance between the given points, and find the midpoint of the segment joining them. $$(-4,5) \text { and }(-9,-7)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The distance is 13 units and the midpoint is (-6.5, -1).
Step by step solution
01
Use the Distance Formula
To calculate the distance between the two points, use the distance formula, which is: \[d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}\]Substitute the given points \((x_1, y_1) = (-4, 5)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (-9, -7)\): \[d = \sqrt{((-9) - (-4))^2 + ((-7) - 5)^2}\]Simplify inside the square root: \[d = \sqrt{(-9 + 4)^2 + (-7 - 5)^2} = \sqrt{(-5)^2 + (-12)^2}\]Now evaluate the expressions: \[d = \sqrt{25 + 144} = \sqrt{169} = 13\]
02
Use the Midpoint Formula
The formula for finding the midpoint \(M\) of a segment connecting two points is: \[M = \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right) \]Plug in the coordinates \((x_1, y_1) = (-4, 5)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (-9, -7)\): \[M = \left( \frac{-4 + (-9)}{2}, \frac{5 + (-7)}{2} \right) = \left( \frac{-13}{2}, \frac{-2}{2} \right)\]Simplify each part of the midpoint to get the final point: \[M = \left( -6.5, -1 \right)\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Midpoint Formula
Invented to help find the center point between two positions on a plane, the midpoint formula comes in handy whenever you need to split a line segment exactly in half. The formula is super easy to remember: it’s the average of the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of your points. When using the midpoint formula, remember:
- Label your points as \( (x_1, y_1) \) and \( (x_2, y_2) \).
- Compute the average of the x-coordinates: \[ \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2} \].
- Compute the average of the y-coordinates: \[ \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \].
Coordinate Geometry
Coordinate Geometry is also known as analytic geometry. It’s a branch of geometry where algebra is used to understand and solve geometric problems. By plotting points, lines, and shapes on a coordinate plane, it becomes much easier to visualize spatial relationships.
In Coordinate Geometry:
In Coordinate Geometry:
- A point is represented as an ordered pair \( (x, y) \) on the Cartesian plane.
- Distance and slopes of lines can be calculated using formulas.
- It serves as a bridge between algebra and geometry, leveraging numerical values to explain geometric concepts.
Distance Calculation
Distance calculation is about determining how far one point is from another on a coordinate plane. The distance formula is your go-to tool for this task. Its applications range from everyday measurement needs like determining the length of a path, to more engineering-focused tasks.
The formula is derived from the Pythagorean theorem, expressing the distance \( d \) as \[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \].
Steps to use the formula:
The formula is derived from the Pythagorean theorem, expressing the distance \( d \) as \[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \].
Steps to use the formula:
- Subtract corresponding coordinates: \( x_2 - x_1\) and \( y_2 - y_1 \).
- Square the differences.
- Add the squared values.
- Take the square root of the result.
Geometric Formulas
In the world of mathematics, geometric formulas serve as solutions to a myriad of problems. They provide methods for calculation and allow for the conversion of theoretical concepts into practical applications.
Several key geometric formulas exist:
Several key geometric formulas exist:
- Area and perimeter formulas for shapes.
- The Pythagorean theorem for right triangle calculations.
- The distance and midpoint formulas for applications in coordinate geometry.