http://www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Basics of Geometry
Example A
IsMa midpoint ofAB?
No, it is not becauseMB=16 andAM= 34 − 16 =18.
Example B
Find the midpoint between (9, -2) and (-5, 14).
Plug the points into the formula.
(
9 +(− 5 )
2
,
− 2 + 14
2
)
=
(
4
2
,
12
2
)
= ( 2 , 6 )
Example C
IfM( 3 ,− 1 )is the midpoint ofABandB( 7 ,− 6 ), findA.
Plug what you know into the midpoint formula.
(
7 +xA
2
,
− 6 +yA
2
)
= ( 3 ,− 1 )
7 +xA
2
=3 and
− 6 +yA
2
=− 1 Ais(− 1 , 4 ).
7 +xA=6 and− 6 +yA=− 2
xA=−1 andyA= 4
Another way to find the other endpoint is to find the difference betweenMandBand then duplicate it on the other
side ofM.
x−values: 7− 3 =4, so 4 on the other side of 3 is 3− 4 =− 1
y−values:− 6 −(− 1 ) =−5, so -5 on the other side of -1 is− 1 −(− 5 ) = 4
Ais still (-1, 4). You may use either method.
Example D
Use a ruler to draw a bisector of the segment below.