Midpoint Formula

Pre-Algebra · Axiom Academy

Find the point exactly halfway between two points by averaging their coordinates. The midpoint is the point that sits exactly halfway between two points. Think of folding a rope in half — the crease lands right in the middle. The midpoint is equidistant from both endpoints: the distance to one end equals the distance to the other. To find the midpoint between two points (x_1, y_1) and (x_2, y_2) , we handle the two coordinates separately : average the x's to get the middle x, and average the y's to get the middle y. Add the x-coordinates and divide by 2; add the y-coordinates and divide by 2. Let's find the midpoint between A(2, 3) and B(8, 7) . Watch each coordinate get averaged, then read the midpoint straight off the grid. You've seen that the midpoint of a segment is found by averaging the endpoints' coordinates — a "meet in the middle" that works on any two points, including the practical jobs below. Scroll up to revisit any step.

This is the written version of the interactive lesson above. See the full Pre-Algebra course.