Question

A polygon has vertices whose coordinates are A(1, 4), B(4, -1), C(-1, -4), and D(-4, 1). Use the midpoint formula to determine whether or not the diagonals of polygon ABCD bisect each other. In your final answer, include all of your calculations.

Answer 1

Answer:

The diagonals of the polygon ABCD bisect each other

Step-by-step explanation:

The given vertices of the polygon are;

A(1, 4), B(4, -1), C(-1, -4), and D(-4, 1)

Given that the vertices of the polygon in clockwise order from the top left corner are ABCD, we have the diagonals as AC and DB

By the midpoint formula, we have;

$(x_m , \ y_m) = \left (\dfrac{x_1 + x_2}{2} , \ \dfrac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right )$

Where;

$(x_m , \ y_m)$ = The midpoint coordinates

Therefore, the midpoint of diagonal AC = $\left (\dfrac{1 + (-1)}{2} , \ \dfrac{4 + (-4)}{2} \right ) = (0, 0)$

The midpoint  of diagonal DB = $\left (\dfrac{(-4) +4}{2} , \ \dfrac{1 + (-1)}{2} \right ) = (0, 0)$

Therefore, given that the coordinates of the location of the midpoint of the diagonals AC and DB is the same, the diagonals bisect each other

Each diagonal passes through the midpoint of the other diagonal.