midpoint

Everyday

1. (maths) The point exactly halfway between two ends of a line segment, or halfway between two numbers. tree →
2. The middle of a time, journey or event: «at the midpoint of the race». tree →

In the lessons

In maths, the midpoint of a line divides it into two equal parts; the midpoint of two numbers is their average: halfway between 4 and 10 is 7. On coordinate grids, the midpoint of (2, 4) and (6, 8) is (4, 6). In everyday life, «the midpoint of the term» or a journey. Phrases: «find the midpoint», «at the midpoint», «the midpoint between».

Examples

• Mark the midpoint of the line with a dot. tree →
• The midpoint between 10 and 20 is 15. tree →
• We stopped for lunch at the midpoint of our journey. tree →
• The midpoint of a 12 cm line is 6 cm from each end. tree →
• At the midpoint of the race she was in third place. tree →
• Fold the paper to find its midpoint. tree →
• The midpoint of (0, 0) and (8, 4) is (4, 2). tree →
• Half-term is around the midpoint of the term. tree →

Note

Countable: one midpoint, two midpoints. In maths: midpoint of numbers a and b = (a + b) ÷ 2. For a line of length L, each half is L ÷ 2. Can be written «mid-point». Not the same as «median» (the middle value of a sorted list), though they can be equal.