Question

Segment RS is graphed on a coordinate grid. Explain how you would determine the coordinates of RS on the segment that is 1/4 of the distance from R to S. Medal will be rewarded for your patronage! :D and your answer and explanation is accurate and correct.

Answer 1

@phi

Answer 2

Bisector twice?

Answer 3

Bisection twice? What?

Answer 4

Okay, fine. If you don't like the geometry problem.

How do you find the center point of the line segment - using the coordinates of the points?

Answer 5

using the midpoint formula

Answer 6

Okay, after doing that to obtain M, the Midpoint, ignore S and do it again with R and M.

Answer 7

How would I use the midpoint formula for the problem though

Answer 8

You didn't like the compass and straight-edge suggestion, so I switched over to the requirement that we are on a coordinate system. I took this to mean that we know the coordinates of R and S.

Answer 9

okay, but how do we know the coordinate of R and S

Answer 10

I don't know. It's your coordinate system. Do we know the coordinates or not? Without the coordinates, we're back to the geometric construction.

Answer 11

what was the geometric construction

Answer 12

Did you ever study with Compass and Straight Edge? You should have at some point.

Answer 13

we used the protractor

Answer 14

A protractor is not an exact instrument for anything except drawing straight lines. If that's what you have, then that's what you have. Somehow, you have to be able to find the midpoint of a given segment. There is no substitute. I have suggested two methods. Find one that works and do it twice. That's all there is to it.

Answer 15

okay well let's try it out

Answer 16

I haven't done the compass and straight edge construction before.

Answer 17

Try this: http://www.mathopenref.com/constbisectline.html

Answer 18

Is the link above basically what I have to do

Answer 19

That's how it's done.

Answer 20

how will I get it to \[\frac{ 1 }{ 4 }\] though

Answer 21

@tkhunny

Answer 22

Two steps.

First bisection takes your from 0 and 1 to 1/2
Now, ignore the 1
Second bisection takes you from 0 and 1/2 to 1/4.

You should do the bisections and see. It's a lovely exploration.

Answer 23

so like measure 0 - 1 and then put 1/2 in between and then figure where 1/4 goes

Answer 24

Explore!! Guess where 3/8 is after that!

Answer 25

where

Answer 26

Half way between 1/4 and 1/2, where else?

Answer 27

Can you find 11/16, knowing 0, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 1?