Final answer:
The midpoint of segment BD when given point B = (-3, 17) and point D = (15, -7) is calculated using the midpoint formula. The midpoint is found to be (6, 5), which corresponds to answer choice A.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the midpoint of segment BD if point B = (-3, 17) and point D = (15, -7), we use the midpoint formula which is the average of the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the two points. The formula for the midpoint M is given by:
M = \(\left(\frac{x_1+x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1+y_2}{2}\right)\)
Applying the formula to our points B and D:
M = \(\left(\frac{-3+15}{2}, \frac{17+(-7)}{2}\right)\)
M = \(\left(\frac{12}{2}, \frac{10}{2}\right)\)
M = \((6, 5)\)
Therefore, the midpoint of segment BD is A. (6, 5).