Q. 60 - Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities

Question

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

$P_1=(-4,-3); P_2=(2,2)$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The midpoint of line segment is $\left(-1,-\frac{1}{2}\right)$.

Step 1. Given information.

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

$P_1=(-4,-3); P_2=(2,2)$

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 

$x=\frac{x_1+x_2}{2}=\frac{-4+2}{2}=-1 \mathrm{and} y=\frac{y_1+y_2}{2}=\frac{-3+2}{2}=-\frac{1}{2}$

So, Midpoint $M=(x,y)=\left(-1,-\frac{1}{2}\right)$

Step 4. Conclusion.

The midpoint of the line segment is $\left(-1,-\frac{1}{2}\right)$.