14.

2 The midpoint of a line segment

EXTENDING UNDERSTANDING OF THE MIDPOINT SOLUTIONS

Practise finding the midpoint of an interval on the number plane and use these skills to solve problems.

TASK 1 Find the midpoint from the graph

1 Midpoint of AB = (−2, 3)

2 Midpoint of CD = (1.5, 2)

3 Midpoint of EF = (4, 0)

4 Midpoint of GH = (6, 3.5)

5 Midpoint of JK = (–2.5, –2)

TASK 2 Calculate the midpoint from the coordinates

Midpoint = (average of two x-values, average of two y-values)

Another way to write the calculation for midpoint is to use the formula:

1 (2, 3), (6, 7) 2 (−2, −1), (8, 3) 3 (5, 1), (−1, 7)

2+6 3+7 −2 + 8 −1 + 3 5 + (−1) 1 + 7
Midpoint = ( , ) Midpoint = ( , ) Midpoint = ( , )
2 2 2 2 2 2
8 10 6 2 4 8
=( , ) =( , ) =( , )
2 2 2 2 2 2
= ( 4, 5 ) = ( 3, 1 ) = ( 2, 4 )

4 (−5, 1), (6, 1) 5 (−3, 8), (−2, –8) 6 (28, 1), (0, 43.5)
−5 + 6 1 + 1 −3 + (−2) 8 + (−8) 28 + 0 1 + 43.5
Midpoint = ( , ) Midpoint = ( , ) Midpoint = ( , )
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 −5 0 = ( 14, 22.25 )
= (0.5, 1) or ( , 1) =( , )
2 2 2
1
= (–2.5, 0) or ( −2 , 0)
2

© 2023 Cambridge University Press 1/2 Chapter 14: Position and transformation
 14.2 The midpoint of a line segment

TASK 3 Determine the endpoint of an interval

Q has coordinates (7, 4).

There are many ways of determining its position. Two methods are shown below.

Solution using the diagram Solution using the formula

If you were not given a diagram you could substitute

the coordinates of P and M into the formula.
x +x y +y 
Midpoint =  1 2 , 1 2  = (4, 3)
 2 2 

x-coordinate y-coordinate
M is the midpoint so the M is the midpoint so the
x value of the midpoint y value of the midpoint
is 4. One of the endpoints is 3. One of the endpoints
is P so x1 = 1. is P so y1 = 2.
From P to M you move 3 across and 1 up.
x1 + x2 y1 + y2
4= 3=
Therefore, from M to Q must also be 3 across 2 2
and 1 up. 1 + x2 2 + y2
= =
2 2
So Q is (7, 4).
8 = 1 + x2 6 = 2 + y2
Note that M is the midpoint of PQ. x2 = 7 y2 = 4

So Q is (7, 4).

TASK 4 Use midpoints to investigate a relationship

1 Midpoint of PQ = (1, 0)

Midpoint of RS = (–5, 2)

2 The diagram shows the two

midpoints and the line joining them.
This new line is parallel to AB
and CD.

3 All midpoints of any interval joining

AB to CD will also lie on the new
line.

© 2023 Cambridge University Press 2/2 Chapter 14: Position and transformation