Question

Difficulty: EasyTransformations in the Coordinate Plane

In the standard (x,y)(x, y) coordinate plane, line segment CDCD has endpoints C(2,2)C(-2, 2) and D(2,8)D(-2, 8). If segment CDCD is reflected across the yy-axis to form segment CDC'D', what are the coordinates of the midpoint of segment CDC'D'?

  1. (2,5)(2, 5)Answer
  2. B
    (2,5)(-2, 5)
  3. C
    (2,5)(-2, -5)
  4. D
    (2,5)(2, -5)
  5. E
    (5,2)(5, 2)

Answer

The coordinate point (2,5)(2, 5)
The correct answer is (2,5)(2, 5) because the midpoint of the original segment CDCD is located at (2,5)(-2, 5). When a point is reflected across the yy-axis, its xx-coordinate changes sign while its yy-coordinate remains the same. Therefore, the image of the midpoint is (2,5)(2, 5).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Find the midpoint of the original segment CDCD.
Midpoint M=(2+(2)2,2+82)=(2,5)M = \left(\frac{-2 + (-2)}{2}, \frac{2 + 8}{2}\right) = (-2, 5)
The midpoint formula is M=(x1+x22,y1+y22)M = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}\right).
2
Apply the reflection across the yy-axis to the midpoint.
M=((2),5)=(2,5)M' = (-(-2), 5) = (2, 5)
Reflecting a point (x,y)(x, y) across the yy-axis maps it to (x,y)(-x, y).

Key Concept

Reflection of points and segments across the axes in the coordinate plane

Alternative Method

Instead of finding the midpoint first, you can reflect the endpoints C(2,2)C(-2, 2) and D(2,8)D(-2, 8) across the yy-axis to get C(2,2)C'(2, 2) and D(2,8)D'(2, 8). Then, apply the midpoint formula to these new coordinates to get the midpoint: (2+22,2+82)=(2,5)\left(\frac{2 + 2}{2}, \frac{2 + 8}{2}\right) = (2, 5).
Estimated Time:45s
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