SOLUTION: On my worksheet my teacher drew a segment with an 'a' on one end, and a 'b' on the other end. The directions read: Find the midpoint. There is no other info given, and we are sup

Algebra ->  Length-and-distance -> SOLUTION: On my worksheet my teacher drew a segment with an 'a' on one end, and a 'b' on the other end. The directions read: Find the midpoint. There is no other info given, and we are sup      Log On


   

Question 110823: On my worksheet my teacher drew a segment with an 'a' on one end, and a 'b' on the other end. The directions read: Find the midpoint. There is no other info given, and we are supposed to find the answer using the 'midpoint construction'. Can anyone tell me what the midpoint construction is and how to use it?
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
use a compass and make sure it is open to at least half the length of the segment

put the point of the compass on one end of the segment and draw arcs on either side of the segment

without changing the compass opening, move the point to the other end of the segment and again draw arcs on either side of the segment

the arcs should intersect on both sides of the segment
... draw a line connecting the arc intersections
... this line is the perpendicular bisector of the segment
... the line intersects the segment at the midpoint