Math Problem Statement

Find the equation of the line which passes through the point (−2, 2) and the midpoint of the line segment joining the points (4, 3) and (−2, 5)

Solution

To find the equation of the line passing through the point (2,2)(-2, 2) and the midpoint of the line segment joining the points (4,3)(4, 3) and (2,5)(-2, 5), we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Find the Midpoint of the Line Segment

The midpoint (M)(M) of a line segment joining two points (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) is given by:

M=(x1+x22,y1+y22)M = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}\right)

Substituting the given points (4,3)(4, 3) and (2,5)(-2, 5):

M=(4+(2)2,3+52)=(22,82)=(1,4)M = \left(\frac{4 + (-2)}{2}, \frac{3 + 5}{2}\right) = \left(\frac{2}{2}, \frac{8}{2}\right) = (1, 4)

Step 2: Find the Slope of the Line

The slope mm of a line passing through two points (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) is given by:

m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}

Using the points (2,2)(-2, 2) and (1,4)(1, 4):

m=421(2)=23m = \frac{4 - 2}{1 - (-2)} = \frac{2}{3}

Step 3: Use the Point-Slope Form to Find the Equation

The point-slope form of a line is:

yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)

Using the slope m=23m = \frac{2}{3} and the point (2,2)(-2, 2):

y2=23(x(2))y - 2 = \frac{2}{3}(x - (-2))

Simplify this equation:

y2=23(x+2)y - 2 = \frac{2}{3}(x + 2)

y2=23x+43y - 2 = \frac{2}{3}x + \frac{4}{3}

y=23x+43+2y = \frac{2}{3}x + \frac{4}{3} + 2

y=23x+43+63y = \frac{2}{3}x + \frac{4}{3} + \frac{6}{3}

y=23x+103y = \frac{2}{3}x + \frac{10}{3}

Final Equation of the Line

y=23x+103\boxed{y = \frac{2}{3}x + \frac{10}{3}}

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Related Questions:

  1. How to find the equation of a line given two points directly?
  2. What is the significance of the midpoint in coordinate geometry?
  3. How to convert a point-slope form to slope-intercept form?
  4. How does changing one point affect the slope of the line?
  5. What are other forms of linear equations besides slope-intercept and point-slope?

Tip: Always double-check the calculated midpoint and slope before forming the final equation to avoid simple calculation errors!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Coordinate Geometry
Slope of a Line
Midpoint Formula
Point-Slope Form
Slope-Intercept Form

Formulas

Midpoint formula: M = ((x1 + x2)/2, (y1 + y2)/2)
Slope formula: m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)
Point-slope form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)
Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b

Theorems

None explicitly mentioned, but core concepts of linear equations apply.

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10