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Midpoint (-3, 0) (3, 6)

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

Step by step

The question

Question: find the midpoint of (−3, 0) and (3, 6).

(−3, 0) and (3, 6)

1 Plot the points

Draw the grid.

Put both points on the grid: (−3, 0)

and (3, 6).

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 + 32

−3 plus 3 is 0.

x = 02

0 divided by 2 is 0.

So x = 0.

x = 0

3 Middle of the y's

Now the y's: the same.

Add them, then divide by 2.

y = 0 + 62

0 plus 6 is 6.

y = 62

6 divided by 2 is 3.

So y = 3.

y = 3

4 The midpoint

So the midpoint is M = (0, 3).

M = (0, 3)

Put M on the grid.

It sits on the line, right in the middle.

5 Check

Let's check on the grid.

From (−3, 0) to M:

we go right 3, up 3.

(−3, 0) → M: right 3, up 3

From M to the other point:

we go right 3, up 3.

The same moves.

So M is exactly in the middle!

M → (3, 6): right 3, up 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 = (0, 3)

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the midpoint of (−3, 0) and (3, 8)
Show the answer
M = (0, 4)

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