Question

Riko wants to find the distance between the points (−2, −3) and (2, −5). His work is shown. StartAbsoluteValue negative 3 EndAbsoluteValue + StartAbsoluteValue negative 5 EndAbsoluteValue = 3 + 5 = 8. The distance is 8 units. Riko correct? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

No, Riko is not correct. The points do not have the same x-coordinates. If you connect the points, they do not form a horizontal or vertical line, so you cannot count spaces or use absolute value to find the distance.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Riko is wrong because she uses the wrong formula.

Explanation:

Given the coordinate points (-2, -3) and (2, -5)

We are to find the distance between the two points

Using the formula:

D = √(x2-x1)²+(y2-y1)²

From the coordinates x1 = -2, y1 = -3, x2 = 2 and y2 = -5

Substitute

D = √(2-(-2))²+(-5-(-3))²

D= √(4)²+(-2)²

D = √16 + 4

D = √20

D = √4*√5

D = 2√5

This shows that Riko is wrong because she uses the wrong formula.