Question

question 6 of 10
which methods could you use to calculate the y - coordinate of the midpoint of a vertical line segment with endpoints at (0, 0) and (0, - 12)?
check all that apply.
a. divide 12 by 2.
b. add the endpoints.
c. divide - 12 by 2.
d. count by hand.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall mid - point formula

The mid - point formula for the y - coordinate of two points \((x_1,y_1)\) and \((x_2,y_2)\) is \(y_m=\frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}\). Here \(y_1 = 0\) and \(y_2=-12\), so \(y_m=\frac{0+( - 12)}{2}=\frac{-12}{2}=-6\). So dividing - 12 by 2 gives the correct y - coordinate of the mid - point.

Step2: Consider counting method

We can also count by hand on the number line represented by the y - axis. Starting from \(y = 0\) and moving towards \(y=-12\), the mid - point between 0 and - 12 can be found by counting and seeing that it is at \(y=-6\).
Adding the endpoints (\(0+( - 12)=-12\)) does not give the mid - point y - coordinate. Dividing 12 by 2 gives 6 which is incorrect as we are dealing with a negative y - value range here.

Answer:

C. Divide -12 by 2., D. Count by hand.