Using Mid Point formula to help with poverty threshold

Question

A poverty threshold represents the minimum annual household income for a family not to be considered poor. In 1995, the poverty threshold for a family of four with two children under the age of 18 years was $ 15,897. In 2005, the poverty threshold for a family of four with two children under the age of 18 years was $19,601. Assuming poverty thresholds increase in a straight-line fashion, use the midpoint formula to estimate the poverty threshold of a family of four with two children under the age of 18 in 2000.

Answer 1

Hi Bryan, the mid-point formula is found from knowing two points, (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂). The mid-point is then given by:

 

mid-point = ((x₁ + x₂)/2, (y₁ + y₂)/2)

 

If we use the years for the x-values and the poverty threshold for the y-values, we can find the mid-point and the solution to the question.

 

mid-point = ((1995 + 2005)/2, (15,897 + 19,601)/2)

 

mid-point = (2000, 17749)

 

The estimate for the poverty threshold in 2000 would be $17,749.

 

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