Question

What are the coordinates of the point on the directed line segment from

(−8,1) to (2,−7) that partitions the segment into a ratio of 3 to 1?

Answer 1

The desired point is thus (-1/2, -5).

Explanation:

The x-component of this directed line segment is 2 - (-8), or 10, and the y-component is -7 - (1), or -8. This segment is in Quadrant II, since the x-component is positive and the y-component is negative.

The point of interest is (3/4) of the way in the positive x-direction from x = -8. We can express this symbolically as -8 + (3/4)(10), or -8 + 7.5, or -1/2.

The point of interest is 3/4 of the way in the negative y direction from 1, or:

1 + (3/4)(-8), or 1 - 6, or -5.

The desired point is thus (-1/2, -5).