Midpoint of a Line Segment - Definition and Examples


The midpoint of a line segment is the point that is located halfway between the endpoints. You can use the coordinates of the endpoints to find the coordinates of the midpoint by using the midpoint formula.

Suppose a segment has endpoints A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2)

The midpoint M is [(x1 + x2) / 2, (y1 + y2) / 2]

A couple of examples showing how to find the midpoint of a line segment.

Example #1

Use the graph below to find the midpoint of the segment.

Midpoint of a line segment

M = [(x1 + x2) / 2, (y1 + y2) / 2]

M = [(-4 + 10) / 2, (8 + -2) / 2]

M = (6 / 2, 6 / 2)

M = (3, 3)

The midpoint is (3, 3)

Example #2

Find the midpoint of the line segment with endpoints (8,1) and (2,3)

M = [(x1 + x2) / 2, (y1 + y2) / 2]

M = [(8 + 2) / 2, (1 + 3) / 2]

M = (10 / 2, 4 / 2)

M = (5, 2)

The midpoint is (5, 2)

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Math words beginning with the letter m

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