This activity is about identifying the midpoints of a line on a coordinate grid.

 

The lines will be horizontal or vertical.

You will be given the endpoints of the line.

 

Remember the x number comes before the y number.

 

To find the midpoint

- Find the length of the whole line.

- Halve this length.

- Move along this half-distance from either of the endpoints.

 

Example

Find the coordinates of M, the midpoint of AC shown on the grid below.

 

 

Answer

The line AC is 8 units long. 

 

Count the squares to check.

 

A has an x-coordinate of -5.

B has an x-coordinate of +3.

 

From -5 up to +3 is 8 units.

 

The half-distance is 8 ÷ 2 = 4 units.

 

 

M is the midpoint on the line AC.

It is 4 units to the right of A and 4 units to the left of C.

The coordinates of M are (-1, -3).

 

That wasn't too tricky, was it? Let's have a go at some questions now.