Question

Using this graph, how would adding 6 + 2 then dividing by 2 help you find the midpoint of line AB?
Point A: (2, -2)
Point B: (6, 5)

A. It finds the distance between points A and B.
B. It finds the sole midpoint of points A and B.
C. It finds the average distance between the two y-values of points A and B.
D. It finds the average distance between the two x-values of points A and B.

Answer 1

Bot are you sure that's right

Answer 2

To find the midpoint of line segment AB, you use the midpoint formula, which averages the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the two points. For points A (2, -2) and B (6, 5), the midpoint \(M\) can be calculated as follows:

1. **Calculate the x-coordinate of the midpoint:**
\[
M_x = \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2} = \frac{2 + 6}{2} = \frac{8}{2} = 4
\]

2. **Calculate the y-coordinate of the midpoint:**
\[
M_y = \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} = \frac{-2 + 5}{2} = \frac{3}{2} = 1.5
\]

The midpoint M of line segment AB is (4, 1.5).

Now, let's evaluate the statement "adding 6 + 2 then dividing by 2" in terms of how it relates to finding the midpoint.

When you add 6 and 2, you're finding the sum of the x-coordinates of points A and B, which is 8. Dividing by 2 gives you 4, which is indeed the x-coordinate of the midpoint. This process focuses specifically on the x-coordinates.

Thus, the operation of \( (2 + 6) / 2 \) is relevant to finding the average of the x-values.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

**D. It finds the average distance between the two x-values of points A and B.**