Final answer:
To calculate the distance between the points (-1, -9) and (1, -4), we use the distance formula, which results in approximately 5.4. Therefore, the correct answer is C) 5.4.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the distance between two points on a coordinate plane, we use the distance formula, which is derived from the Pythagorean theorem. The distance formula is:
D = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²)
For the points (-1, -9) and (1, -4), we substitute as follows:
D = √((1 - (-1))² + (-4 - (-9))²)
D = √((1 + 1)² + (-4 + 9)²)
D = √(2² + 5²)
D = √(4 + 25)
D = √29
D ≈ 5.4 (since √29 is approximately 5.385)
The correct answer from the options provided is C) 5.4.