Calculating the Length of the Segment

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 46 views

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the concept of a line segment joining two points on the complex plane. We will calculate the length and the midpoint of the segment using the given points $4 - 2i$ and $2 + 10i$ . This problem is a fundamental concept in mathematics, particularly in the field of complex analysis.

Calculating the Length of the Segment

To calculate the length of the segment, we will use the distance formula between two points in the complex plane. The distance formula is given by:

d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}

where $x_1$ and $y_1$ are the real and imaginary parts of the first point, and $x_2$ and $y_2$ are the real and imaginary parts of the second point.

In this case, the two points are $4 - 2i$ and $2 + 10i$ . We can substitute these values into the distance formula:

d = \sqrt{(2 - 4)^2 + (10 - (-2))^2}

d = \sqrt{(-2)^2 + (12)^2}

d = \sqrt{4 + 144}

d = \sqrt{148}

d = \sqrt{4 \cdot 37}

d = 2 \sqrt{37}

Calculating the Midpoint of the Segment

To calculate the midpoint of the segment, we will use the midpoint formula. The midpoint formula is given by:

M = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}\right)

where $x_1$ and $y_1$ are the real and imaginary parts of the first point, and $x_2$ and $y_2$ are the real and imaginary parts of the second point.

In this case, the two points are $4 - 2i$ and $2 + 10i$ . We can substitute these values into the midpoint formula:

M = \left(\frac{4 + 2}{2}, \frac{-2 + 10}{2}\right)

M = \left(\frac{6}{2}, \frac{8}{2}\right)

M = \left(3, 4\right)

M = 3 + 4i

Conclusion

In this article, we calculated the length and the midpoint of the segment joining the points $4 - 2i$ and $2 + 10i$ on the complex plane. We used the distance formula to calculate the length of the segment, which is $2 \sqrt{37}$ . We also used the midpoint formula to calculate the midpoint of the segment, which is $3 + 4i$ .

The final answer is $2 \sqrt{37} ; 3 + 4i$ .

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of a line segment joining two points on the complex plane. We calculated the length and the midpoint of the segment using the given points $4 - 2i$ and $2 + 10i$ . In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to this topic.

Q: What is the distance formula used to calculate the length of the segment?

A: The distance formula used to calculate the length of the segment is given by:

d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}

where $x_1$ and $y_1$ are the real and imaginary parts of the first point, and $x_2$ and $y_2$ are the real and imaginary parts of the second point.

Q: How do I calculate the midpoint of the segment?

A: To calculate the midpoint of the segment, you can use the midpoint formula:

M = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}\right)

where $x_1$ and $y_1$ are the real and imaginary parts of the first point, and $x_2$ and $y_2$ are the real and imaginary parts of the second point.

Q: What is the significance of the midpoint of the segment?

A: The midpoint of the segment is the point that divides the segment into two equal parts. It is also the point that is equidistant from the two endpoints of the segment.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to calculate the length of a segment in the real number system?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to calculate the length of a segment in the real number system. The distance formula is a general formula that can be used to calculate the distance between two points in any coordinate system.

Q: How do I apply the distance formula to calculate the length of a segment in the complex plane?

A: To apply the distance formula to calculate the length of a segment in the complex plane, you need to substitute the real and imaginary parts of the two points into the formula. For example, if the two points are $a + bi$ and $c + di$ , you can substitute these values into the formula:

d = \sqrt{(c - a)^2 + (d - b)^2}

Q: What is the relationship between the length of the segment and the midpoint of the segment?

A: The length of the segment and the midpoint of the segment are related in the sense that the midpoint of the segment is the point that divides the segment into two equal parts. The length of the segment is the distance between the two endpoints of the segment.

Q: Can I use the midpoint formula to calculate the midpoint of a segment in the real number system?

A: Yes, you can use the midpoint formula to calculate the midpoint of a segment in the real number system. The midpoint formula is a general formula that can be used to calculate the midpoint of a segment in any coordinate system.

Q: How do I apply the midpoint formula to calculate the midpoint of a segment in the complex plane?

A: To apply the midpoint formula to calculate the midpoint of a segment in the complex plane, you need to substitute the real and imaginary parts of the two points into the formula. For example, if the two points are $a + bi$ and $c + di$ , you can substitute these values into the formula:

M = \left(\frac{a + c}{2}, \frac{b + d}{2}\right)

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions related to the concept of a line segment joining two points on the complex plane. We discussed the distance formula and the midpoint formula, and how to apply them to calculate the length and the midpoint of a segment in the complex plane.