Final answer:
To find the midpoint M of the line segment joining the points S = (-5, 1) and T = (1, -3), we can use the midpoint formula which states that the coordinates of the midpoint M are the average of the coordinates of S and T.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the midpoint M of the line segment joining the points S = (-5, 1) and T = (1, -3), we can use the midpoint formula which states that the coordinates of the midpoint M are the average of the coordinates of S and T.
So, the x-coordinate of M is (-5 + 1)/2 = -4/2 = -2, and the y-coordinate of M is (1 + (-3))/2 = -2/2 = -1.
Therefore, the midpoint M is (-2, -1).