Please help, I'm confused. What are the coordinates of the point on the directed line segment from (-8, 1)(−8,1) to (2, -7)(2,−7) that partitions the segment into a ratio of 3 to 1?

Answer 1

Point A: -8, 1

Point B: 2, -7

AB equation: Y=-0.8 x -5.4

Assume point C(x1, y1) is the point that we are looking for.

First it should be on the line, so

y1=-0.8 x1- 5.4. (1)

Second, the distance between for example AC should be one quarter of AB

AB=√[2-(-8)]^2+ [-7-1]^2 =√164

Then, AC=√164/4=3.201

AC= √(x1-(-8)^2 + (y1-1)^2. (2)

Using equations 1 and 2, you can find the coordinates of point C

Good luck