The midpoint of a line segment is the point that splits it into two segments of equal length. For example, M is the midpoint of \overline{PQ} shown below.


The midpoint splits the line segment into two congruent segments,

\overline{PM}\cong \overline{QM}.

In addition, the segment \overline{PQ} is twice as long as the segments \overline{PM} and \overline{QM} :

PQ = 2PM, \qquad PQ = 2QM

FLAG

Given that M is the midpoint of \overline{PQ} , what is the value of x?



EXPLANATION

Since M is the midpoint of \overline{PQ} , the segment \overline{PQ} is twice the length of the segment \overline{PM}. So, we have:

\begin{align*} 2PM &= PQ \\[3pt] 2(4x-3) &= 5x+9 \\[3pt] 8x-6 &=5x+9 \\[3pt] \end{align*}

Now, we subtract 5x from both sides of the equation:

\begin{align*} 8x-6-5x &=5x+9 - 5x \\[3pt] 3x -6 &=9 \\[3pt] \end{align*}

Next, we add 6 to both sides:

\begin{align*} 3x-6+6 &= 9+6 \\[3pt] 3x &= 15 \end{align*}

Finally, we divide both sides by 3{:}

\begin{align*} \dfrac{3x}{3}&=\dfrac{15}3 \\[5pt] x&=5 \end{align*}

FLAG

Given that $M$ is the midpoint of $\overline{AB}$, what is the value of $w?$

a
$4$
b
$7$
c
$1$
d
$5$
e
$2$

Given that $G$ is the midpoint of $\overline{EF}$, what is the value of $y?$

a
$1$
b
$5$
c
$3$
d
$2$
e
$4$

The point M is the midpoint of the line segment \overline{LN}. What is the value of x if MN=4x+1 centimeters and LM=3x+4 centimeters?

EXPLANATION

We have the following diagram.


Since M is the midpoint of \overline{LN} , the two segments \overline{LM} and \overline{MN} have the same length. So, we have:

\begin{align*} LM &= MN \\[3pt] 3x+4 &= 4x+1 \\[3pt] 3x+4-3x &= 4x+1 -3x \\[3pt] 4 &= x+1 \\[3pt] 4 - 1 &= x+1-1 \\[3pt] 3 &= x \\[3pt] x &= 3 \end{align*}

Therefore, x = 3\,\textrm{cm} .

FLAG

The point $S$ is the midpoint of the line segment $\overline{PQ}.$ What is the value of $x$ if $SQ=2x+3$ inches and $PS=3x-1$ inches?

a
$1\,\textrm{in}$
b
$5\,\textrm{in}$
c
$3\,\textrm{in}$
d
$4\,\textrm{in}$
e
$2\,\textrm{in}$

Given that $C$ is the midpoint of $\overline{AB}$ with $AC=2x$ and $AB= 6x-1$, what is the value of $AB?$

a
$3$
b
$4$
c
$2$
d
$5$
e
$1$

Let's find the midpoint M of the line segment \overline{AB} on a number line, if A corresponds to x_1= 3 and B corresponds to x_2=7, as depicted below.



The midpoint of a line segment splits it into two segments of equal length. To find the number x_m corresponding to M, we use the following midpoint formula:

\begin{align*} x_m &= \dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2} \end{align*}

Substituting x_1=3 and x_2=7 , we obtain

\begin{align*} x_m &= \dfrac{3+7}{2} \\[5pt] &= \dfrac{10}{2} \\[5pt] &=5. \end{align*}

Therefore, the midpoint M corresponds to x_m=5.


FLAG

Which number corresponds to the midpoint of the line segment \overline{AB} shown below?



EXPLANATION

The point A corresponds to the number x_1=-1 while B corresponds to x_2=5.

To find the number x_m corresponding to the midpoint M , we use the midpoint formula:

\begin{align*} x_m &= \dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2} \\[5pt] &= \dfrac{-1+5}{2} \\[5pt] &= \dfrac{4}{2} \\[5pt] &= 2 \end{align*}

Therefore, the midpoint M corresponds to x_m=2.


FLAG

Which number corresponds to the midpoint of the line segment $\overline{PQ}$, if $P$ and $Q$ are points on a number line that correspond to $-7$ and $3$, respectively?

a
$-1$
b
$-2$
c
$-3$
d
$2$
e
$3$

Which number corresponds to the midpoint of the line segment $\overline{AB}$ shown above?

a
$2$
b
$0$
c
$1$
d
$0.5$
e
$1.5$

For the diagram depicted below, which number corresponds to the point R if M is the midpoint of the line segment \overline{RS}?



EXPLANATION

From the picture, we can see that the point S corresponds to the number x_2=3 while the midpoint M corresponds to x_m=1.

To find the number x_1 corresponding to the point R , we first set up an equation using the midpoint formula:

\begin{align*} x_m &= \dfrac{x_1+x_2}{2} \\[5pt] 1 &= \dfrac{x_1 + 3}{2} \end{align*}

Now, we solve for x_1\mathbin{:}

\begin{align*} 1 &= \dfrac{x_1 + 3}{2} \\[5pt] 2 \cdot 1 &=x_1 +3 \\[5pt] 2 &= x_1 +3 \\[5pt] 2-3 &= x_1 \\[5pt] -1 &= x_1 \end{align*}

Therefore, the point R corresponds to x_1=-1.


FLAG

For the diagram depicted above, which number corresponds to the point $S$ if $M$ is the midpoint of the line segment $\overline{RS}?$

a
$-4$
b
$4$
c
$0$
d
$2$
e
$-6$

For the diagram depicted above, which number corresponds to the point $R$ if $M$ is the midpoint of the line segment $\overline{RS}?$

a
$-3$
b
$-4$
c
$0$
d
$-2$
e
$-5$
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