Question

Find the distance between the points (3, –8) and (0, –9).

Answer 1

The formula for distance between two points is:

`\sqrt{(x_(2) -x_(1))^(2) + (y_(2) -y_(1))^(2)}`

In this case:

`x_(2) =0\\x_(1) =3\\y_(2) =-9\\y_(1) =-8`

^^^Plug these numbers into the formula for distance like so...

`\sqrt{(0-3)^(2) + (-9 - (-8))^(2)}`

To solve this you must use the rules of PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponent, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction)

First we have parentheses. Remember that when solving you must go from left to right

`\sqrt{(0-3)^(2) + (-9-(-8))^(2)}`

0 - 3 = -3

`\sqrt{(-3)^(2) + (-9-(-8))^(2)}`

-9 - (-8) = -1

`\sqrt{(-3)^(2) + (-1)^(2)}`

Next solve the exponent. Again, you must do this from left to right

`\sqrt{(-3)^(2) + (-1)^(2)}`

(-3)² = 9

`\sqrt{9 + (-1)^(2)}`

(-1)² = 1

`√((9+1))`

Now for the addition

`√((9+1))`

9 + 1 = 10

√10 <<<This can not be further simplified so this is your exact answer

Your approximate answer would be about 3.16

***Remember that the above answers are in terms of units

Hope this helped!

~Just a girl in love with Shawn Mendes