# How to calculate the middle of a line?

My question is following. I have a line with a given (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2) coordinates (see figure below). I need to calculate coordinates of the middle of this line (X, Y). I tried to use classical method of finding distance between two coordinates, but it works only when the line is situated horizontally.

Could anybody help me with a formula to find coordinates of the middle of a given line please?

Thanks beforehand.

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Generalization: You can get any point along the line by doing a weighted average of the vectors (e.g. $0.1*p1 + 0.9*p2$, to get 90% of the way towards p2). –  ninjagecko Jun 8 '11 at 20:56

## 2 Answers

You can just average the points: $x = \dfrac{x_1 + x_2}{2}$ $y = \dfrac{y_1 + y_2}{2}$

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Mr Anderson: Didn't I hear you say, "I'd have to comment..." a while ago? On the other hand: what is a tongue good for if you're unable to spea..k? Yes, I know you're Mr Smith, but I prefer to call you Anderson. –  t.b. Jun 7 '11 at 15:36
@Theo: HAH! My (gr)avatar came about after a not-so-subtle rivalry popped up between me and another moderator ("johnny" - after johnny mnemonic) on mymathforum.com - but apparently Mr. Smith doesn't prevail in the end /: –  The Chaz 2.0 Jun 7 '11 at 15:40
:) That "tongue" should have been a "phone call"... sorry about that. –  t.b. Jun 7 '11 at 15:42