How do you find a number that lies halfway?

To find a number that lies halfway between two other numbers, there are a couple of straightforward methods. According to our reference, you can use either of these approaches:

Methods to Find the Midpoint

Here are two ways to calculate the number that lies exactly halfway between two given numbers:

• Method 1: Averaging - You can add the two numbers and then divide the result by 2. This gives you the average, which is the midpoint.

  • Example: Find the number halfway between 10 and 20.
    1. Add the numbers: 10 + 20 = 30
    2. Divide by 2: 30 / 2 = 15
    3. Therefore, 15 lies halfway between 10 and 20.

• Method 2: Finding the Gap and Adding Half - You can find the difference between the two numbers, and add half of that difference to the smaller number.

  • Example: Find the number halfway between 10 and 20.
    1. Find the difference: 20 - 10 = 10
    2. Divide the difference by 2: 10 / 2 = 5
    3. Add this half-difference to the smaller number: 10 + 5 = 15
    4. Therefore, 15 lies halfway between 10 and 20.

Practical Insights

Both methods are equally valid and will provide the same answer. Choosing which method to use often depends on personal preference or the specific context of the problem. Averaging is often simpler for mental calculations, while finding the gap can be useful when you conceptually want to understand the distance to the midpoint.