GMAT Math : Calculating the midpoint of a line segment

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 :Coordinate Geometry

Which of the following quadrants can contain the midpoint of a line segment with endpointsandfor some nonzero value of?

Possible Answers:

Quadrants II and IV

Quadrants I and IV

Quadrants I and III

Quadrants III and IV

Quadrants II and III

Correct answer:

Quadrants II and IV

Explanation:

The midpoint of the line segment with endpointsandis, or

If, then the-coordinate is negative and the-coordinate is positive, so the midpoint is in Quadrant II. If, the reverse is true, so the midpoint is in Quadrant IV.

Example Question #2 :Coordinate Geometry

The midpoint of a line segment with endpointsandis. Sove for.

Possible Answers:

It cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer:

It cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation:

The midpoint of a line segment with endpointsis

.

Substitute the coordinates of the endpoints, then set each equation to the appropriate midpoint coordinate.

-coordinate:

-coordinate:

Simplify each, then solve the system of linear equations in two variables:

The two linear equations turn out to be equivalent, meaning that there are infinitely many solutions to the system. Therefore, insufficient information is given to answer the question.

Example Question #3 :Coordinate Geometry

Find the midpoint of the pointsand.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Add the corresponding points together and divide both values by 2:

(\frac{2+4}{2},\frac{9+3}{2}) = (3, 6)

Example Question #4 :Coordinate Geometry

What is the midpoint ofand?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Add the x-values and divide by 2, and then add the y-values and divide by 2. Be careful of the negatives!

Example Question #5 :Coordinate Geometry

Consider segmentwhich passes through the pointsand.

What are the correct coordinates for the midpoint of?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Midpoint formula is as follows:

Plug in and calculate:

Example Question #6 :Coordinate Geometry

Segmenthas endpoints ofand. If the midpoint ofis given by point, what are the coordinates of point?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Midpoints can be found using the following:

Plug in our points (-6,8) and (4,26) to find the midpoint.

Example Question #1 :Midpoint Formula

的mipdpoint l的坐标是什么ine segmentifand

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The midpoint formula is

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