Question

B is the midpoint of AC and E' is the midpoint of BD. If A(-9,-4), C(-1, 6), and E(-4,-3), find the coordinates of D.

Answer 1

The coordinates for D are (-4, -7)

First we must locate point B as it is vital to finding the midpoint of BD. To do this, we take the average of the endpoints AC since B is its midpoint.

x values = -9 + 1 = -8
Then divide by 2 for the average -8/2 = -4

y values = -4 + 6 = 2
Then divide by 2 for the average 2/2 = 1

Therefore B must be (-4, 1)

Now we know the values of E must be the average of B and D. So we can write equations for each coordinate since we know they are averages.

x - values = (Bx + Dx)/2 = Ex
(-4 + Dx)/2 = -4 ---> multiply both sides by 2
-4 + Dx = -8 ---> add -4 to both sides
Dx = -4

y - values = (By + Dy)/2 = Ey
(1 + Dy)/2 = -3 ---> multiply both sides by 2
1 + Dy = -6 ---> subtract 1 from both side
Dy = -7

So the coordinates for D must be (-4, -7)