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How to Find The Midpoint Without a Ruler

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By jmackreljones
User-Submitted Article
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Putting a hanger-thingie on a picture frame? Here's how to find the midpoint of the frame if you don't have a ruler or tape measure. The same method works to find the midpoint of other things.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Piece of paper longer than half the width of the frame
  • But we don't know what the half is? Guess.
  • Pencil
  1. Step 1

    With the frame face down, lay the paper across the top where the ridgedy hanger thingy will go. Have the left edge of the paper exactly match the left edge of the frame. Let some of the wood frame show at the top. If you are left-handed, reverse as you have had to do all your life.

  2. Step 2

    Guess where the midpoint of the frame is and make a mark on the frame and on the paper at the same spot.

  3. Step 3

    Slide the paper over so that the mark on the paper is exactly even with the right side of the frame. Make a mark on the frame where the left edge of the paper is.

  4. Step 4

    The midpoint is halfway between these marks. Estimate that point and mark it on the frame. Slide the paper over a little bit so its left edge is now at this last mark, and mark the paper exactly at the right edge of the frame. Make this mark longer so you can tell it from the first one.

  5. Step 5

    Shift the paper to its starting position and see if the mid-mark on the paper matches the midmark on the frame. If not, make another mark on the frame midway between these two marks. You are done. We could keep going, Zeno-like, but you will need to keep sharpening your pencil.

Tips & Warnings
  • You can find the midpoint of a (symmetrical) piece of wood, like say a dowel, if close is good enough, by balancing it horizintally on your finger. Where it balances is the midpoint.
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