Use midpoint and distance formulas

Vocabulary Midpoint: the midpoint of a segment is the point that divides the segment into two congruent segments (It is exactly the middle) Segment Bisector: a segment bisector is a point, line, ray, line segment, or plane that intersects the segment at its midpoint (This is what cuts the segment in half)

Formulas The midpoint formula: the coordinates of the midpoint of a segment are the averages of the x- coordinates and of the y-coordinates of the endpoints. If A(x 1, y 1 ) and B(x 2, y 2 ) are points in a coordinate plane, then the midpoint M of AB has coordinates: x 1 + x 2, y 1 + y Add the x s, then divide by 2; add the y s, then divide by 2.

Distance Formula: On the Coordinate Plane The distance formula: If A(x 1, y 1 ) and B(x 2, y 2 ) are points in a coordinate plane, then the distance between A and B is AB = √(x 2 – x 1 ) 2 + (y 2 – y 1 ) 2

The BIG question the distance formula the midpoint formula How do you know when to use the distance formula and when to use the midpoint formula?