Question

X has coordinates (a,3a) and Y has coordinates (-5a,0). Find the coordinates of the midpoint of XY

Answer 1

For this case we have that by definition, the midpoint of a segment is given by:

`XY = (\frac {x1 + x2} {2}, \frac {y1 + y2} {2})`

We have the following ordered pairs:

`(x1, y1) = (a, 3a)\\(x2, y2) = (- 5a, 0)`

Therefore, substituting values we have:

`XY = (\frac {a-5a} {2}, \frac {3a + 0} {2})`

Rewriting we have:

`XY = (\frac {-4a} {2}, \frac {3a} {2})\\`

`XY = (- 2a, \frac {3a} {2})`

Answer:

the coordinates of the midpoint of XY

`XY = (- 2a, \frac {3a} {2})`