Question 135·Hard·Linear Equations in Two Variables
A line with slope passes through the midpoint of the segment with endpoints and in the -plane. What is the -intercept of this line?
For line-intercept questions, first identify a point on the line (here, by using the midpoint formula on the given segment), then write the line using point-slope form with the given slope. To find the -intercept, do not fully rearrange to slope-intercept form unless you want to; instead, directly set in the point-slope equation and solve for , and finally check whether your answer’s sign and approximate size make sense based on the line’s slope and the point it passes through.
Hints
Start with the midpoint
You are told the line passes through the midpoint of the segment with endpoints and . Use the midpoint formula to find that point.
Use the slope and midpoint to write the line
Once you have the midpoint, combine it with the given slope in point-slope form: .
Relate x-intercept to y
At the -intercept, what is the -value? Substitute that value of into your line equation and solve for .
Check the sign and size of your answer
The line goes through and has a negative slope. As decreases from down to , should get bigger or smaller? Use this to check if your final -value is reasonable.
Desmos Guide
Compute the midpoint in Desmos
In one expression line, type (6+(-2))/2 and in another type (-2+10)/2. Desmos will show 2 and 4, so the midpoint is .
Graph the line using point-slope form
Enter the equation y-4 = (-3/4)(x-2) in Desmos. It will automatically graph the line that has slope and passes through .
Find the x-intercept from the graph
Add the equation y=0 to show the -axis clearly. Click (or tap) the point where the line intersects the -axis. Read the -coordinate of that intersection point; that value is the -intercept.
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the midpoint of the segment
The endpoints are and . The midpoint formula is
So the midpoint is
This point lies on the line.
Write an equation for the line using slope and a point
We know the slope is and the line passes through . Use point-slope form:
Substitute and :
This is an equation of the line.
Use to find the x-intercept
The -intercept is where the line crosses the -axis, so .
Set in the equation:
so
Multiply both sides by :
Divide both sides by :
Add (which is ) to both sides:
So the -intercept of the line is .