Question

What is the midpoint of the line segment with the endpoints J(–9, –4) and K(7, 8)? (–5, –1) (–2, 1) (–1, 2) (3, 5)

Answer 1

The midpoint is kinda the average of the two points,

( (-9 + 7)/2, (-4 + 8)/2 ) = (-1, 2)

Third choice.

Answer 2

Treat the x- and y-coordinates separately.

Between x=-9 and x = 7 are 16 units. Take half of that, which would be 16/2, and add that result (8) to -9. The x-coordinate of the midpoint is then x = -1.

Simillarly:

Between y = -4 and y = 8 are 12 units. Thus, add 12/2 units to y = -4, obtaining y=2 units.

The midpoint of the given line segment is (-1, -4).

Note that you could also average the given x-coordinates to achieve the same result:

xmidpoint = (-9+7)/2 = -1 (same as before).