College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 2 - Section 2.1 - The Distance and Midpoint Formulas - 2.1 Assess Your Understanding - Page 156: 57

Answer

$M_{AC}=M_{BD}$, so the point $\displaystyle \left(\frac{s}{2},\frac{s}{2}\right)$ is the midpoint of both diagonals. In other words, the diagonals of a square intersect at their midpoints.

Work Step by Step

Using the hint, let $A=(0,0),B=(0,s), C=(s,s),$ and $D=(s,0)$ be the vertices of the square. The diagonals are $\overline{AC}$ and $\overline{BD}$ . Midpoints: $M_{AC}=\displaystyle \left(\frac{0+s}{2},\frac{0+s}{2}\right)=\left(\frac{s}{2},\frac{s}{2}\right)$ $M_{BD}=\displaystyle \left(\frac{0+s}{2},\frac{s+0}{2}\right)=\left(\frac{s}{2},\frac{s}{2}\right)$ $M_{AC}=M_{BD}$, so the point $\displaystyle \left(\frac{s}{2},\frac{s}{2}\right)$ is the midpoint of both diagonals. In other words, the diagonals of a square intersect at their midpoints.
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