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What are the coordinates of the point on the directed line segment from (-8,-1) to (6, -9) that partitions the segment into a ratio of 3 to 1?

A. (-5, -5)
B. (-2, -7)
C. (0, -8)
D. (2, -9)

User FlatDog
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7.2k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The coordinates of the point that partitions the segment into a 3:1 ratio, calculated using the section formula, are (-4.5, -3). However, this result does not match any of the provided options, indicating a possible error in the question or the options given.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the coordinates of the point that partitions the directed line segment from (-8, -1) to (6, -9) into a ratio of 3 to 1, we use the section formula which is based on the weighted average of the x-coordinates and y-coordinates of the endpoints.

We can apply the following formula:

x = [(x1 × m) + (x2 × n)] / (m + n)

y = [(y1 × m) + (y2 × n)] / (m + n)

Here, x1 = -8, y1 = -1, x2 = 6, y2 = -9, m = 3, and n = 1.

Substituting the values, we get:

x = [(-8 × 3) + (6 × 1)] / (3 + 1) = (-24 + 6) / 4 = -18 / 4 = -4.5

y = [(-1 × 3) + (-9 × 1)] / (3 + 1) = (-3 - 9) / 4 = -12 / 4 = -3

The coordinates are not a match with any of the given options, implying there might be a typo or error in the multiple-choice answers provided by the student. It's important to double-check the calculation and also verify that the question and options provided are accurate.

User Emmalyx
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7.9k points