# Midpoint Formula

We will discuss here how to use the midpoint formula to find the middle point of a line segment joining the two co-ordinate points.

The coordinates of the midpoint M of a line segment AB with end points A (x$$_{1}$$, y$$_{1}$$) and B (y$$_{2}$$, y$$_{2}$$) are M ($$\frac{x_{1} + x_{2}}{2}$$, $$\frac{y_{1} + y_{2}}{2}$$).

Let M be the midpoint of the line segment joining the points A (x$$_{1}$$, y$$_{1}$$) and B (y$$_{2}$$, y$$_{2}$$).

Then, M divides AB in the ratio 1 : 1.

So, by the section formula, the coordinates of M are ($$\frac{1\cdot x_{2} + 1\cdot x_{1}}{1 + 1}$$) i.e., ($$\frac{x_{1} + x_{2}}{2}$$).

Therefore, the coordinates of the midpoint of AB are ($$\frac{x_{1} + x_{2}}{2}$$, $$\frac{y_{1} + y_{2}}{2}$$).

That is the middle point of the line segment joining the points (x$$_{1}$$, y$$_{1}$$) and (y$$_{2}$$, y$$_{2}$$) has the coordinates ($$\frac{x_{1} + x_{2}}{2}$$, $$\frac{y_{1} + y_{2}}{2}$$).

Solved examples on midpoint formula:

1. Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment joining the point A (-5, 4) and B (7, -8).

Solution:

Let M (x, y) be the midpoint of AB. Then, x = $$\frac{(-5) + 7}{2}$$ = 1 and y = $$\frac{4 + (-8)}{2}$$ = -2

Therefore, the required middle point is M (1, -2).

2. Let P (6, -3) be the middle point of the line segment AB, where A has the coordinates (-2, 0). Find the coordinate of B.

Solution:

Let the coordinates of B be (m, n). The middle point P on AB has the coordinates ($$\frac{(-2) + m}{2}$$, $$\frac{0 + n}{2}$$).

But P has the coordinates (6, -3).

Therefore, $$\frac{(-2) + m}{2}$$ = 6  and $$\frac{0 + n}{2}$$ = -3

⟹ -2 + m = 12 and n = -6

⟹ m = 12 + 2 and n = -6

Therefore, the coordinates of B (14, -6)

3. Find the point A’ if the point A (-3, 4) on reflection in the point (1, -1) maps onto the point A’.

Solution:

Let A’ = (x, y). Clearly, (1, -1) is the middle point of AA’.

The middle point of AA’ = ($$\frac{x + (-3) }{2}$$, $$\frac{y + 4}{2}$$) = (1, -1).

⟹ $$\frac{x - 3}{2}$$ = 1  and $$\frac{y + 4}{2}$$ = -1

⟹ x = 5 and y = -6

Therefore, the coordinate of the point A’ are (5, -6)