Q. 56 - Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities

Question

Find the midpoint of the line segment joining the points P₁ and P₂ .

$P_1=(-2,0); P_2=(2,4)$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The midpoint of line segment is $\left(0,2\right)$.

Step 1. Given information.

Find the midpoint of the line segment joining the points P₁ and P₂ .

$P_1=(-2,0); P_2=(2,4)$

Step 2. Midpoint Formula.

The midpoint $M=(x, y)$ of the line segment from $P_1= \left(x_1,y_1\right) \mathrm{to} P_2=\left(x_2,y_2\right)$ is

$M=(x,y)=\left(\frac{x_1+x_2}{2},\frac{y_2+y_1}{2}\right)$

Step 3. Apply the midpoint formula.

The coordinates (x, y) of the midpoint M are 

$x=\frac{x_1+x_2}{2}=\frac{-2+2}{2}=0 \mathrm{and} y=\frac{y_1+y_2}{2}=\frac{0+4}{2}=2$

So, Midpoint $M=(x,y)=(0,2)$

Step 4. Conclusion.

The midpoint of the line segment is $(0,2)$.