How to Use the Midpoint Formula to Find the Other Endpoint of a Line Segment?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around using the midpoint formula to find the other endpoint of a line segment given one endpoint and the midpoint. It includes specific exercises requiring the application of the formula to calculate the other endpoint based on provided coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants outline the midpoint formula, stating that if (x_1, y_1) is one endpoint and (x_m, y_m) is the midpoint, then the other endpoint (x_2, y_2) can be expressed as x_2 = 2x_m - x_1 and y_2 = 2y_m - y_1.
  • Specific examples are provided to apply the formula, such as calculating (x_2, y_2) for (1, -2) and (4, -1), resulting in (7, 0), and for (-5, 11) and (2, 4), which remains unresolved in the discussion.
  • There are challenges regarding the clarity of the explanation, with some participants questioning the derivation of the formula and expressing frustration over perceived misunderstandings of basic concepts.
  • One participant suggests that another's struggle with the formula indicates a lack of preparation for more advanced topics, while another defends their approach to the problem without using LaTeX formatting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and agreement on the application of the midpoint formula. Some agree on the mathematical approach, while others contest the clarity and correctness of the explanations provided.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the application of the midpoint formula in specific examples, and some participants express confusion about the derivation of the formula itself.

nycmathdad
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53. A line segment has (x_1, y_1) as one endpoint and (x_m, y_m) as its midpoint. Find the other endpoint (x_2, y_2) of the line segment in
terms of x_1, y_1, x_m, and y_m.

54. Use the result of Exercise 53 to find the endpoint (x_2, y_2) of each line segment with the given endpoint (x_1, y_1) and midpoint (x_m, y_m).

(a) (x_1, y_1) = (1, −2)
(x_m, y_m) = (4, −1)

(b) (x_1, y_1) = (−5, 11)
(x_m, y_m) = (2, 4)

I need help with 53 and 54.
 
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Beer soaked query follows.
nycmathdad said:
53. A line segment has (x_1, y_1) as one endpoint and (x_m, y_m) as its midpoint. Find the other endpoint (x_2, y_2) of the line segment in
terms of x_1, y_1, x_m, and y_m.

54. Use the result of Exercise 53 to find the endpoint (x_2, y_2) of each line segment with the given endpoint (x_1, y_1) and midpoint (x_m, y_m).

(a) (x_1, y_1) = (1, −2)
(x_m, y_m) = (4, −1)

(b) (x_1, y_1) = (−5, 11)
(x_m, y_m) = (2, 4)

I need help with 53 and 54.
What have you done so far?
 
nycmathdad said:
53. A line segment has (x_1, y_1) as one endpoint and (x_m, y_m) as its midpoint. Find the other endpoint (x_2, y_2) of the line segment in
terms of x_1, y_1, x_m, and y_m.
Call the other endpoint (x_2, y_2). Then x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2 so 2x_m= x_1+ x_2 and x_2= 2x_m- x_1. Similarly y2= 2y_m- y_1.

54. Use the result of Exercise 53 to find the endpoint (x_2, y_2) of each line segment with the given endpoint (x_1, y_1) and midpoint (x_m, y_m).

(a) (x_1, y_1) = (1, −2)
(x_m, y_m) = (4, −1)
x_2= 2(4)- 1= 8- 1= 7
y_2= 2(-1)- (-2)= -2+ 2= 0.
(x_2, y_2)= (7, -0). Check: ((7+1)/2, (-2- 0)/2)= (8/2, -2/2)= (4, -1).

(b) (x_1, y_1) = (−5, 11)
(x_m, y_m) = (2, 4)

I need help with 53 and 54.
Why don't you try the last one?
 
Country Boy said:
Call the other endpoint (x_2, y_2). Then x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2 so 2x_m= x_1+ x_2 and x_2= 2x_m- x_1. Similarly y2= 2y_m- y_1.x_2= 2(4)- 1= 8- 1= 7
y_2= 2(-1)- (-2)= -2+ 2= 0.
(x_2, y_2)= (7, -0). Check: ((7+1)/2, (-2- 0)/2)= (8/2, -2/2)= (4, -1).Why don't you try the last one?

You said:

"Call the other endpoint (x_2, y_2). Then x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2 so 2x_m= x_1+ x_2 and x_2= 2x_m- x_1. Similarly y2= 2y_m- y_1."

In your reply, where did 2x come from?
 
m++
nycmathdad said:
You said:

"Call the other endpoint (x_2, y_2). Then x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2 so 2x_m= x_1+ x_2 and x_2= 2x_m- x_1. Similarly y2= 2y_m- y_1."

In your reply, where did 2x come from?
There is NO "2x" in what I wrote. If you mean "2x_m", multiply both sides of x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2 by 2.
 
Beer soaked ramblings follow.
nycmathdad said:
You said:

"Call the other endpoint (x_2, y_2). Then x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2 so 2x_m= x_1+ x_2 and x_2= 2x_m- x_1. Similarly y2= 2y_m- y_1."

In your reply, where did 2x come from?
Fourteen years of Precalculus review and you're still stumped by the midpoint formula?
I can see that your quest for Calculus understanding will be a very rough and even longer ride.
For someone who once pretended he's on his way to mastering Calculus as https://mathhelpboards.com/members/harpazo.8631/, it is disappointing to see you struggling once again with basic stuff.

Maybe you can see this more clearly if Countryboy decided to give his excellent answer in LaTex.
Too hammered right now to do it, so see a somewhat similar application of your present dilemma at https://mathforums.com/threads/symmetrical-line.356080/

But then again, I might already be in your prestigious Ignore List and you might not see this at all.
 
I didn't use LaTeX because the original post did not! Here:

https://mathhelpboards.com/goto/post?id=124850
53. A line segment has $(x_1, y_1)$ as one endpoint and $(x_m, y_m)$ as its midpoint. Find the other endpoint $(x_2, y_2)$ of the line segment in
terms of $x_1$, $y_1$, $x_m$, and $y_m$.
Call the other endpoint $(x_2, y_2)$. Then $x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2$ so $2x_m= x_1+ x_2$and $x_2= 2x_m- x_1$. Similarly $y2= 2y_m- y_1$.

54. Use the result of Exercise 53 to find the endpoint $(x_2, y_2)$ of each line segment with the given endpoint $(x_1, y_1)$ and midpoint $(x_m, y_m)$.

(a) $(x_1, y_1) = (1, −2)$
$(x_m, y_m) = (4, −1)$
$x_2= 2(4)- 1= 8- 1= 7$
$y_2= 2(-1)- (-2)= -2+ 2= 0$.
(x_2, y_2)= (7, -0). Check: ((7+1)/2, (-2- 0)/2)= (8/2, -2/2)= (4, -1).
 
Last edited:
Country Boy said:
I didn't use LaTeX because the original post did not! Here:Call the other endpoint $(x_2, y_2)$. Then $x_m= (x_1+ x_2)/2$ so $2x_m= x_1+ x_2$and $x_2= 2x_m- x_1$. Similarly $y2= 2y_m- y_1$.$x_2= 2(4)- 1= 8- 1= 7$
$y_2= 2(-1)- (-2)= -2+ 2= 0$.
(x_2, y_2)= (7, -0). Check: ((7+1)/2, (-2- 0)/2)= (8/2, -2/2)= (4, -1).

Nicely done. I thank you.
 
Beer soaked ramblings follow.
nycmathdad said:
Nicely done. I thank you.
Translation: I love cajoling members into doing my work without showing any kind of effort whatsoever on my part.
 
  • #10
You're such a sweetheart!
 

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