Sometimes while solving maths problems you need to find the midway between the two points. For example, you might need to find a line that bisects a given line segment. This middle point is called the “midpoint”.
From a numerical point of view, the midpoint of a segment can be considered to be the average of its endpoints. This concept helps in remembering a formula for finding the midpoint of a segment given the coordinates of its endpoints.
The Midpoint formula is used when one is required to find the exact center point between two defined points. So for a line segment, we use this formula to calculate the point that bisects a line segment defined by the two points. Rene Descartes, who was born in 1596 introduced this formula.
The midpoint is halfway between the two endpoints:
Its x value is halfway between the two x values. Its y value is halfway between the two y values.
To calculate it:
Add both “x” coordinates, divide by 2.
Add both “y” coordinates, divide by 2.
The midpoint of two points, (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is the point M calculated by the following formula:
M= (x1+ x2/2, y1+ y2/2).
For example, Find the midpoint P between (6.4, 3) and (–10.7, 4).
=(6.4 + (-10.7)/2, 3+4/2)
=(-4.3/2, 7/2)= (-2.15, 3.5)
So the final answer is P=(-2.15, 3.5).
Leave a Reply