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