To find the midpoint of a line segment when you have only the endpoints, you can use the midpoint formula. If the endpoints of the segment are given as $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$, the formula for the midpoint $(M)$ is:

$M = \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right)$

Explanation:

• The x-coordinate of the midpoint is the average of the x-coordinates of the two endpoints: $\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}$.
• The y-coordinate of the midpoint is the average of the y-coordinates of the two endpoints: $\frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}$.

This formula gives the point that is exactly halfway between the two endpoints on the line segment.

Would you like further details or have any specific questions about using the midpoint formula?

Here are some related questions you might be interested in:

1. How do you find the midpoint if one of the endpoints is missing?
2. What is the geometric significance of the midpoint of a line segment?
3. How can the midpoint formula be applied in three-dimensional space?
4. How does the midpoint formula relate to the distance formula?
5. Can you use the midpoint formula to find the center of a circle given its diameter endpoints?

Tip: When working with midpoints, always double-check the coordinates you are averaging to ensure accuracy, especially if dealing with negative numbers or decimals.