Question

Segment AB is shown on the graph.



Which shows how to find the x-coordinate of the point that will divide into a 2:3 ratio using the formula ?

x = (−3−2) + 2
x = (2+3) − 3
x = (−3−2) + 2
x = (2+3) − 3

Answer 1

Use the section formula: for A(x1,y1)=(-3,?) and B(x2,y2)=(2,?), if AP:PB = 2:3 then
x = (3·x1 + 2·x2)/(2+3) = (3·(−3) + 2·2)/5 = (−9 + 4)/5 = −1.

So the correct setup is x = (3(−3) + 2(2))/(2+3), giving x = −1.