Question 1: The midpoint of \( (a, 4) \) and \( (6, b) \) is \( (5,8) \). The values of \( a \) and \( b \) are respectively
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The Deep Dive
To find the values of \( a \) and \( b \), we can use the formula for the midpoint. The midpoint \( (M_x, M_y) \) of points \( (x_1, y_1) \) and \( (x_2, y_2) \) is calculated as: \[ M_x = \frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \quad M_y = \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2} \] Given the points \( (a, 4) \) and \( (6, b) \), the midpoint is given as \( (5, 8) \). From \( M_x = 5 \): \[ \frac{a + 6}{2} = 5 \] Multiplying both sides by 2: \[ a + 6 = 10 \] Subtracting 6 from both sides gives: \[ a = 4 \] From \( M_y = 8 \): \[ \frac{4 + b}{2} = 8 \] Multiplying both sides by 2: \[ 4 + b = 16 \] Subtracting 4 from both sides gives: \[ b = 12 \] Thus, the values of \( a \) and \( b \) are respectively \( 4 \) and \( 12 \).