Question

What is the length of the segment joining the points at (1, –8) and (5, 0)? Round to the nearest tenth if necessary.

Answer 1

Use the "distance formula" derived from the Pythagorean Theorem:

d^2=(x2-x1)^2+(y2-y1)^2

d^2=(5-1)^2+(0--8)^2

d^2=16+64

d^2=80

d=√80

d≈8.9 units (to the nearest tenth of a unit)