Question

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

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the x - coordinate of the mid - point

Use the mid - point formula for the x - coordinate: $\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}$. Here $x_1=-3$ and $x_2 = - 7$.
$\frac{-3+( - 7)}{2}=\frac{-3 - 7}{2}=\frac{-10}{2}=-5$

Step2: Calculate the y - coordinate of the mid - point

Use the mid - point formula for the y - coordinate: $\frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}$. Here $y_1=-1$ and $y_2=-7$.
$\frac{-1+( - 7)}{2}=\frac{-1 - 7}{2}=\frac{-8}{2}=-4$

Answer:

$(-5, -4)$