Question

Find the midpoint of the line on the coordinate plane with the given endpoints below.

(-1, 1), (5, -5)

Answer 1

(2,-2)

Explanation:

Two points are given to us and we need to find the midpoint of those two points. The points are

(-1,1) and (5,-5) . Let us say we have two points ( x1,y1) and ( x2 , y2) . The midpoint will be ,

`\implies Midpoint =\bigg( (x_1+x_2)/(2),(y_1+y_2)/(2) \bigg) \\\\\implies Midpoint = \bigg( (-1+5)/(2),(1-5)/(2)\bigg)\\\\\implies Midpoint = \bigg( (4)/(2),(-4)/(2)\bigg)\\\\\implies \red{Midpoint = ( 2 , -2) }`

Answer 2

Then the midpoint is (2, -2)

Explanation:

We treat the x- and y-coordinates separately, first finding the average (mean) of the x-coordinates and then the average of the y-coordinates:

xm = (-1 + 5)/2 = 2

ym = (1 - 5)/2 = -2

Then the midpoint is (2, -2)