1. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 1
The Coordinate Plane
During this lesson you will:
Find the distance between two
points in the plane
Find the coordinates of the
midpoint of a segment
3. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 3
The Coordinate PlaneQuadrant I (+, +)Quadrant II (-, +)
Quadrant III (-, -) Quadrant IV (+, -)
(0,0)
T
The coordinates of point
T are ________.(6,3)
Origin
The Coordinate Plane
4. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 4
When working with Coordinate Geometry,
there are many ways to find distances
(lengths) of line segments on graph paper.
Let's examine some of the possibilities:
Method 1:
Whenever the segments are horizontal
or vertical, the length can be obtained
by counting.
5. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 5
Method One
Whenever the segments
are horizontal or vertical,
the length can be
obtained by counting.
When we need to find the
length (distance) of a
segment such as AB, we
simply COUNT the distance
from point A to point B.
(AB = ___)
We can use this same
counting approach for CD .
(CD = ___)
Unfortunately, this counting approach does NOT work for
EF which is a diagonal segment.
7
3
6. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 6
Method 2: To find the distance
between two points, A(x1, y1) and
B(x2, y2), that are not on a horizontal
or vertical line, we can use the
Distance Formula.
Formula The Distance Formula
The distance, d, between two points,
A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2), is
Alert! The Distance Formula can be used for
all line segments: vertical, horizontal, and
diagonal.
7. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 7
Finding Distance
What is the distance
between the two
points on the right?
STEP 1: Find the
coordinates of the two
points.____________
STEP 2: Substitute into
the Distance Formula.
(0,0)
(6,8)
(0,0) (6,8)
ALERT! Order is important when using
Distance Formula.
8. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 8
Example: Given (0,0) and (6,8), find the
distance between the two points.
9. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 9
Applying the Distance Formula
(2,4)Jackson
(__,__) Symphony
(__,__) City Plaza(__,__) Cedar
(__,__) Central
(__,__) North
(__,__) Oak
Each morning
H. I. Achiever
takes the “bus
line” from Oak
to Symphony.
How far is the
bus ride from
Oak to
Symphony?
11. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 11
Final Checks for Understanding
1. State the Distance Formula in words.
2. When should the Distance Formula be
used when determining the distance
between two given points?
3. Find the length of segment AB given
A (-1,-2) and B (2,4).
12. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 12
Homework Assignment
Page 46, text: 1-17
odd.
*Extra Practice WS:
Distance Formula
with Solutions
Available Online
14. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 14
Vocabulary
midpoint of a segment - _______________
__________________________________
__________________________________
point on a segment
which divides the segment into two congruent
segments
15. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 15
In Coordinate Geometry, there
are several ways to determine
the midpoint of a line segment.
Method 1:
If the line segments are vertical or horizontal,
you may find the midpoint by simply dividing the
length of the segment by 2 and counting that
value from either of the endpoints.
16. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 16
Method 1: Horizontal or
Vertical Lines
If the line segments
are vertical or
horizontal, you may
find the midpoint by
simply dividing the
length of the segment
by 2 and counting that
value from either of
the endpoints.
17. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 17
To find the coordinates of the
midpoint of a segment when the
lines are diagonal, we need to find
the average (mean) of the
coordinates of the midpoint.
The Midpoint Formula:
The midpoint of a segment
endpoints (x1 , y1) and (x2 , y2)
has coordinates
The Midpoint Formula works
for all line segments:
ertical, horizontal or diagonal.
18. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 18
Finding the Midpoint
Find the midpoint of line
segment AB.
A (-3,4)
B (2,1)
Check your answer
here:
19. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 19
Consider this “tricky” midpoint
problem:
M is the midpoint of
segment CD. The
coordinates M(-1,1)
and C(1,-3) are
given. Find the
coordinates of point
D.
First, visualize the situation. This will give you
an idea of approximately where point D will be
located. When you find your answer, be sure
it matches with your visualization of where
the point should be located.
20. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 20
Solve algebraically:
M(-1,1), C(1,-3) and D(x,y)
Substitute into the Midpoint Formula:
22. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 22
Other Methods of Solution:
Verbalizing the algebraic solution:
Some students like to do these "tricky"
problems by just examining the coordinates
and asking themselves the following
questions:
"My midpoint's x-coordinate is -1. What is -1
half of? (Answer -2)
What do I add to my endpoint's x-coordinate
of +1 to get -2? (Answer -3)
This answer must be the x-coordinate of the
other endpoint."
These students are simply verbalizing the algebraic solution.
(They use the same process for the y-coordinate.)
23. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 23
Final Checks for Understanding
1. Name two ways to find the midpoint of a
given segment.
2. What method for finding the midpoint of a
segment works for all lines…horizontal,
vertical, and diagonal?
3. Explain how to find the coordinates of an
endpoint when you are given an endpoint and
the midpoint of a segment.
24. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 24
Homework Assignment:
Page 46, text: 1-17
odd.
*Extra Practice WS:
Midpoint Formula with
Solutions Available
Online
25. Mrs. McConaughy Geometry 25
Solution
Given: A(-3,4); B(2,1)
The midpoint will have
coordinates:
Alert! Your answer may contain a
fraction. Answers may be written in
fractional or decimal form.
Answer:
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