Question

find the midpoint, m, of \\( \overline { a b } \\).
\\( a = ( - 3, - 1 ) \\) \\( b = ( - 7, - 7 ) \\)
\\( m = ( \square, \square ) \\)
\\( m = \left( \frac { x _ { 1 } + x _ { 2 } } { 2 }, \frac { y _ { 1 } + y _ { 2 } } { 2 } \
ight) \\)

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the x - coordinate of the midpoint

Use the midpoint formula \(M = (\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2},\frac{y_1 + y_2}{2})\). For the x - coordinate, \(x_1=-3\), \(x_2 = - 7\). Then \(\frac{-3+( - 7)}{2}=\frac{-3 - 7}{2}=\frac{-10}{2}=-5\).

Step2: Calculate the y - coordinate of the midpoint

For the y - coordinate, \(y_1=-1\), \(y_2=-7\). Then \(\frac{-1+( - 7)}{2}=\frac{-1 - 7}{2}=\frac{-8}{2}=-4\).

Answer:

\((-5,-4)\)