CPM Homework Help : CCG Problem 7-29

Remember that a midpoint of a line segment is the point that divides the segment into two segments of equal length. On graph paper, plot the points $P(0,3)$ and $Q(0,11)$ . Where is the midpoint $M$ if $PM=MQ$ ? Explain how you found your answer.

Step 1:

Plot the points at their given coordinates.

Step 2:

Divide the length by two in order to find the length of $\overline{PM}$ and $\overline{MQ}$ .

Step 3:

To find the coordinates of the midpoint, take the coordinates of either Point $P$ or Point $Q$ and add or subtract, respectively, the length of $\overline{PM}$ and $\overline{MQ}$ to the $y$ -value.
Check your answer by placing the point at the coordinates you found.

Hint:

Because the $x$ -values of the two points are the same, the length of the segment is equal to the difference between the $y$ -values of the two points.

Use the eTool below to model the problem.
Click the link at right for the full version of the eTool: 7-29 HW eTool