Using this graph, how would adding 6+2 then dividing by 2 help you find the midpoint of line AB

( the graph has a line segment with coordinates A(-2,2) and B(6,5)
A. it finds the average distance between the two y-values of points A and B
B. It finds the sole midpoint of points A and B
C. It finds the average distance between the two x-values of points A and B
D. It finds the distance between points A and B

User Icon for Bot GPT 4-o mini Bot GPT 4-o mini answered
1 month ago

To find the midpoint of the line segment connecting points A(-2, 2) and B(6, 5), you can use the midpoint formula:

\[
\text{Midpoint} = \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right)
\]

Where \((x_1, y_1)\) are the coordinates of point A and \((x_2, y_2)\) are the coordinates of point B.

For points A and B:
- A(-2, 2) → \(x_1 = -2\), \(y_1 = 2\)
- B(6, 5) → \(x_2 = 6\), \(y_2 = 5\)

To find the x-coordinate of the midpoint:
\[
\frac{-2 + 6}{2} = \frac{4}{2} = 2
\]

To find the y-coordinate of the midpoint:
\[
\frac{2 + 5}{2} = \frac{7}{2} = 3.5
\]

Thus, the midpoint of line segment AB is (2, 3.5).

Now, looking at your options regarding the operation of adding \(6 + 2\) and then dividing by \(2\):

- \(6 + 2\) corresponds to adding the y-coordinates of A and B, while dividing by \(2\) gives the average of those y-values. This operation \( (6 + 2)/2 \) gives:

\(\frac{2 + 5}{2} = \frac{7}{2} = 3.5\)

So, this operation finds the average of the y-values.

Given the options provided:

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

The correct choice is: **A. it finds the average distance between the two y-values of points A and B.**

However, it should be noted that while option A states "average distance," it should correctly refer to finding the average y-coordinate value (midpoint) rather than a physical distance.