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Midpoint (3, 8) (7, 2)

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Midpoint · Geometry

Step by step

The question

Question: find the midpoint of (3, 8) and (7, 2).

(3, 8) and (7, 2)

1 Plot the points

Draw the grid.

Put both points on the grid: (3, 8)

and (7, 2).

Join them with a straight line.

We want its middle.

2 Middle of the x's

The midpoint is halfway across.

Halfway between two numbers: add them, then divide by 2.

x = 3 + 72

3 plus 7 is 10.

x = 102

10 divided by 2 is 5.

So x = 5.

x = 5

3 Middle of the y's

Now the y's: the same.

Add them, then divide by 2.

y = 8 + 22

8 plus 2 is 10.

y = 102

10 divided by 2 is 5.

So y = 5.

y = 5

4 The midpoint

So the midpoint is M = (5, 5).

M = (5, 5)

Put M on the grid.

It sits on the line, right in the middle.

5 Check

Let's check on the grid.

From (3, 8) to M:

we go right 2, down 3.

(3, 8) → M: right 2, down 3

From M to the other point:

we go right 2, down 3.

The same moves.

So M is exactly in the middle!

M → (7, 2): right 2, down 3

Let's look back.

First: plot the points.

Then: middle of the x's.

Then: middle of the y's.

Then: the midpoint.

Last: check.

Answer
M = (5, 5)

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the midpoint of (1, 5) and (3, 3)
Show the answer
M = (2, 4)

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