Question

Do Now

Determine the coordinates of the midpoint of the line
segment with endpoints R(6,-2) and S(-3,-2).
O (1,2)
O (1.5, 2)
O (1.5, -2)
(3,-2)

Answer 1

(1.5, -2)

Explanation:

First subract -3 from 6 to find the total distance of the line segment.

6 - (-3)

Two negatives make a positive

6 + 3

9 units distance

Knowing this, the midpoint is 4 1/2 units away from either end. (1/2 * 9 = 9/2 = 4 1/2 units) Either add 4.5 to -3, or subtract 4.5 from 6 (keep the -2 though, as this line is straight!) to get the coordinates of the midpoint.

-3 + 4.5

-3 + 3 + 1.5

(1.5, -2)

6 - 4.5

6 - 4 - 0.5

2 - 0.5

(1.5, -2)

The midpoint of segment RS is (1.5, -2).