Math

Guest:

find the midpoint of the line segment with the given endpoints. (3,5) (-5,-5)

The question is not as hard as it may seem. If you look at the coordinates, the line segment 'goes up' (5 - -5) = 5+5 = 10 steps and 'goes right' (3 - -5) = 3+5 = 8 steps from the point (-5,-5)


That means the midpoint must be (10/2) = 5 steps up and (8/2) = 4 steps right of (-5,-5).

Try to figure out yourself where that leads to...

Reinout

edit: I added this to give an illustration

Knipsel24b.png

To find the "x" value of the midpoint, just add the x values of both points and divide this sum by 2. Similarly, to find the "y" value of the midpoint, just add the y values of both points and divide this sum by 2.

See if you can take it from there.......

Guest:

find the midpoint of the line segment with the given endpoints. (3,5) (-5,-5)

Think about it for a moment.
What is the point half way between 4 and 6? It is the average of 4 and 6 That is (4+6)/2 = 10/2 = 5

Well, to find the midpoint of a line segment. It is just ( average the x values, average the y values) = ( (3+-5) /2 , (5+-5)/2 )
See it is just logical.

If this is not so logical to you, that is okay, you can just learn the formula

( (x ₁+x ₂)/2 , (y ₁+y ₂)/2 )

I think this post was given a bit of an overkill in answers
Does anyone have anything to add to this?

It appears that we've passed the (mid)point of no return.......

Yes I agree.
Maybe I should put ou flyers at the local high school telling them we are 'starved' for pupils