Question

find the midpoint m of the line segment joining the points a = (1, - 8) and b = (5, - 2).

Explanation:

Step1: Recall mid - point formula

For two points $(x_1,y_1)$ and $(x_2,y_2)$, the mid - point $(x_m,y_m)$ is given by $x_m=\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}$ and $y_m=\frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}$. Here, $x_1 = 1,y_1=-8,x_2 = 5,y_2=-2$.

Step2: Calculate x - coordinate of mid - point

$x_m=\frac{1 + 5}{2}=\frac{6}{2}=3$.

Step3: Calculate y - coordinate of mid - point

$y_m=\frac{-8+( - 2)}{2}=\frac{-8 - 2}{2}=\frac{-10}{2}=-5$.

Answer:

$(3,-5)$