To find the midpoint of a segment with endpoints \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\), you can use the midpoint formula:
\[ \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right) \]
Given the endpoints \((-1, 2)\) and \((8, 6)\), we have:
- \(x_1 = -1\)
- \(y_1 = 2\)
- \(x_2 = 8\)
- \(y_2 = 6\)
Now, substitute these values into the midpoint formula:
\[ \text{Midpoint} = \left( \frac{-1 + 8}{2}, \frac{2 + 6}{2} \right) \]
Calculating the x-coordinate:
\[ \frac{-1 + 8}{2} = \frac{7}{2} = 3.5 \]
Calculating the y-coordinate:
\[ \frac{2 + 6}{2} = \frac{8}{2} = 4 \]
Thus, the midpoint of the segment is:
\[ \left( 3.5, 4 \right) \]