两点间的中点(或其它比例点)

Before this, know直线方程

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The task of finding midpoints in multiple dimensional coordinate spaces is analogous to the similar task on the real line. For example, in 1-D, the midpoint of 00 and 22 is just 11; generally, the midpoint of aa and bb is their average a+b2\frac{a+b}{2}.

Similarly, in two dimensions, the midpoint is found by finding the average of the two points in each dimension. If point AA has x-coordinate 00 and point BB has x-coordinate 22, then it stands to reason their midpoint MM would have x-coordinate 11. A similar line of reasoning holds for the y-coordinate.

Which of the following points is the midpoint of (−1,3)(-1,3) and (7,5)(7,5)?

Choose one answer

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Max made a good explanation in finding midpoints of two points in multiple dimensional coordinate spaces. Now, our task is to find the point, PP that divides a line in a given ratio, λ\lambda.

Consider a line segment ABAB, with a point PP on it. The point PP separates the line segment ABAB into APAP and PBPB. We let the ratio of APAP and PBPB be λ\lambda. Then,

λ=APPB\lambda=\frac{AP}{PB}

Given that the endpoints of the line segment ABAB are A(x1,y1)A(x_1,y_1) and B(x2,y2)B(x_2,y_2). Let the coordinate of point PP be P(x,y)P(x,y). Since

λ=APPB\lambda=\frac{AP}{PB}

Then

λ=x−x1x2−x\lambda=\frac{x-x_1}{x_2-x}

Solve for xx, we get

x=x1+λx21+λx=\frac{x_1+\lambda x_2}{1+\lambda}

Similarly,

y=y1+λy21+λy=\frac{y_1+\lambda y_2}{1+\lambda}

In conclusion, the coordinate of point PP that divides the line ABAB with endpoints A(x1,y1)A(x_1,y_1) and B(x2,y2)B(x_2,y_2) in a given ratio, λ\lambda is

x=x1+λx21+λ,y=y1+λy21+λx=\frac{x_1+\lambda x_2}{1+\lambda},y=\frac{y_1+\lambda y_2}{1+\lambda}

Type a concept, like “slope” or “photosynthesis”.

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