Question

To find the midpoint of line segment AB , Fernando
calculated 6.4 + (-2.5) = 3.9. What
should his next step be?
(1 point)
Fernando has already made a
• mistake. He should have
calculated 6.4 + 2.5 = 8.9.
Fernando should divide 3.9 by 2,
• then repeat both steps using the y-values.
• Fernando should subtract the y-
values.
Fernando has already made a
• mistake. He should have subtracted the x-values to get 8.9.
B(-3-4)
A(2,7)
These might not be accurate but they are on the line inbetween the numbers

Answer 1

To find the midpoint of a line segment AB with endpoints A(2, 7) and B(-3, -4), Fernando’s initial step of calculating 6.4 + (-2.5) appears to be incorrect since the points do not align with the coordinates provided for points A and B.

The correct steps to find the midpoint (M) are:

1. Identify the coordinates of points A and B:
- A(2, 7) → x₁ = 2, y₁ = 7
- B(-3, -4) → x₂ = -3, y₂ = -4

2. Use the midpoint formula:
\[
M(x, y) = \left( \frac{x₁ + x₂}{2}, \frac{y₁ + y₂}{2} \right)
\]

3. Calculate the x-coordinate of the midpoint:
\[
x = \frac{2 + (-3)}{2} = \frac{2 - 3}{2} = \frac{-1}{2} = -0.5
\]

4. Calculate the y-coordinate of the midpoint:
\[
y = \frac{7 + (-4)}{2} = \frac{7 - 4}{2} = \frac{3}{2} = 1.5
\]

5. So the coordinates of the midpoint M are (-0.5, 1.5).

Given this context, since Fernando miscalculated based on the wrong approach, the correct next step should be:

**Fernando should divide the sum of the correct x-values by 2, then repeat both steps using the y-values.**

The appropriate choice based on the options you provided would likely align with this corrected next step, which ensures accurate calculations for both coordinates.