Find the equation of the median shown:

Hey there! I'm happy to help!

The median is the line cutting the triangle in this graph. In general, a median connects any of the triangle points to halfway across the side opposite to that point. This median connects R to halfway across the side across from R.

We want to find the equation of  this median. We see that T is at (-2,3) and R is (3,-3). The first thing to do when looking for the equation of the line is to find the slope, or incline. Since we have two points, we can do this very easily. You simply divide the difference in the y-values by the difference in the x-values.

DIFFERENCE IN Y-VALUES

3-(-3)

3+3

6

DIFFERENCE IN X-VALUES

-2-3

-5

Now, we divide the two answers, giving us -6/5.

So, we have our slope, which gives us the equation so far y=-6/5x+b. We just need to find the b, which is our y-intercept. Well, to do this, we plug in one of our points and we can solve for b. We will use (3,-3)!

-3=-6/5(3)+b

-3=-3 3/5+b

We add 3 3/5 to both sides to isolate the b.

b=3/5

This means that this median should hit the y-axis at (0,3/5), and it looks like it does. Therefore, the equation of this median is y=-6/5x+3/5.

Now you can find the slope of a median! Have a wonderful day! :D