Question

Calculate the distance between the points K = −1, −4 and L = −82 in the coordinate plane.

Give an exact answer (not a decimal approximation).

Answer 1

√85

Explanation:

The distance formula tells you the distance between (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is ...

... d = √((x2-x1)^2 +(y2-y1)^2)

For your points (-1, -4) and (-8, 2), the distance is ...

... d = √((-8 -(-1))^2 +(2 -(-4))^2) = √((-7)^2 +6^2) = √(49 +36)

... d = √85

The distance between the two points is √85.