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What is the midpoint of the line segment with endpoints [tex]\((3.5, 2.2)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((5, \infty)\)[/tex]?

A. [tex]\((2.5, -2.6)\)[/tex]

B. [tex]\((2.5, -1.3)\)[/tex]

C. [tex]\((5, -1.3)\)[/tex]

D. [tex]\((5, -2.6)\)[/tex]


Sagot :

To find the midpoint of a line segment with endpoints [tex]\((x_1, y_1)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((x_2, y_2)\)[/tex], we use the midpoint formula:

[tex]\[ \left( \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \right) \][/tex]

Given the endpoints [tex]\((3.5, 2.2)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((5, +\infty)\)[/tex]:

1. Identify the coordinates of the endpoints:
[tex]\[ (x_1, y_1) = (3.5, 2.2) \][/tex]
[tex]\[ (x_2, y_2) = (5, +\infty) \][/tex]

2. Calculate the [tex]\(x\)[/tex]-coordinate of the midpoint:
[tex]\[ \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2} = \frac{3.5 + 5}{2} = \frac{8.5}{2} = 4.25 \][/tex]

3. Calculate the [tex]\(y\)[/tex]-coordinate of the midpoint:
[tex]\[ \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} = \frac{2.2 + (+\infty)}{2} = \text{undefined} \][/tex]

Due to the presence of [tex]\(+\infty\)[/tex] as the [tex]\(y\)[/tex]-coordinate of one endpoint, adding it to any number and then dividing by 2 results in [tex]\(+\infty\)[/tex], making it impossible to calculate a finite midpoint.

Thus, the midpoint cannot be defined correctly in this case.

Answer:
[tex]\[ \boxed{\text{The midpoint cannot be calculated because one endpoint has an infinite coordinate.}} \][/tex]