Question

Why do you have to divide by 2 when solving for midpoint in geometry

Answer 1

Explanation:

To find the midpoint which divides a line segment in half, we take the average of the x's. So x1+x2 since I have two terms we divide that by 2. That's a definition of an average, so by adding together the x's and dividing in half ,we can find the x coordinate.

Answer 2

If you take a stick and break it in half, it will break exactly in the middle. That point in the middle is the midpoint.

To break a line in half, you divide it by 2.