Question

the endpoints of a line segment graphed on a cartesian coordinate system are (-2,6) and (1,2) what are the coordinates of the midpoint of the segment

Answer 1

I'll answer you in a minute, but I have a question first, which is part of this problem.

If I give you the numbers 3 and 5, can you find their average?

Answer 2

well first you add 3+5 which equals 8 but the # of numbers given is 4? so the average is 2?

Answer 3

@mathstudent55

Answer 4

No. I'm not talking about the problem you have posted.
I gave you a simple example just for you to find an average of two numbers.
You started correctly. To find the average of 3 and 5, you first add the numbers together.
3 + 5 = 8
Since it's the average of only two numbers, now you divide the sum by 2.
8/2 = 4
The average of 3 and 5 is 4.
Ok?

Answer 5

ok i was unsure about if it was 2 or 4 in the end

Answer 6

OK, but now you understand it. To find the average of 2 numbers, you add the numbers and divide by 2.

Now let's get back to your problem.

Answer 7

To find the midpoint of a segment given the endpoints, find the average of the x-values, and find the average of the y-values. Those two averages are the x- and y-coordinates of the midpoint.

Answer 8

so the x values are -2 and 1
and the y values are 6 and 2

Answer 9

Correct.

Answer 10

so i do -2+1 and that is -1 and then divide by 2
and then 6+2 and that is 8 and i divide by 2 again
@mathstudent55

Answer 11

Correct.

Answer 12

Then the results you get are the x- and y-coordinates of the midpoint in that order.

Answer 13

so the final answer is (-.5, 4)

Answer 14

Correct.