Question

If the coordinates of points A and L are -4 and 8, respectively, then the midpoint between them has a coordinate of____

A- 0
B- 2
C- 4
D- 6

Please help me understand this!

Answer 1

(-4+8)/2 = 2

Answer 2

The answer is B. (How is this a Science question anyway, I'm wondering.)

Anyway, here's the easiest way to figure it out. Draw a number line.
A is at -4 and L is at 8. They are 12 spaces apart, right? So, half of 12 is 6. now, if you start at -4 and go 6 spaces, you'll be at +2.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

I am sorry, I typed the wrong subject into the box. Thank you for correcting me! Also thank you both for helping me out! I really appreciate it! :)

Answer 4

You are finding the point exactly between these points. First you must find the distance between these numbers using absolute value. In case you don't know, absolute value signs turn the answer of whatever operation that happened inside them into a positive number.

|-4+8|
|-4|
4

To find the point in between, just divide by 2.

4÷2
2

So the coordinate of the midpoint of points A and L is 2.

To check your answer, try putting the numbers on a number line and manually find the midpoint.

Answer 5

My way is the easiest way, and will help you when you have numbers too big to put on a number line and count.

Answer 6

Thank you so much Brainiac!! This really helped me!! :)

Answer 7

Brainiac, she'd asked to have it explained. I used a visual to help explain it. :-)

If she'd wanted a formula to memorize, there ya go.