Question

Line segment ab has endpoints A(-4, -10) and B(-11, -7). To find the x-coordinate of the point that divides the directed line segment in a ratio, the formula x=(a/a+b)(x2-x1)+x1 was used to find that x=(3/3+4)(-11-(4))+(-4)

What is the x-coordinate of the point that divides ab into a 3:4 ratio?

answer choices:
-7
-5
-3
-1

Answer 1

A, -7

Explanation:

Got it right, Edge 2020

Answer 2

-7

Explanation:

Here we want to find the point that divide the segment AB into ratio 3:4.

The coordinates of A are

A (-4, -10)

B (-11, -7)

We can use the formula

`x=(a)/(a+b)(x_2-x_1)+x_1`

In order to find the x-coordinate of the point that divides AB into a 3:4 ratio.

In this problem, we have:

a = 3

b = 4

where a/b = 3/4 is the ratio, and

`x_1=-4`

`x_2=-11`

Are the coordinates of the endpoints

Substituting into the formula, we find

`x=(3)/(3+4)(-11-(-4))+(-4)=(3)/(7)(-7)-4=-3-4=-7`