Final answer:
To calculate the distance between the points (8, 5) and (7, 2), the distance formula √[(x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²] is applied. The resulting distance is √10, which is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
Calculating the Distance Between Two Points
To find the distance between the points (8, 5) and (7, 2), we use the distance formula, which is derived from the Pythagorean Theorem. The formula is:
Distance = √[(x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²]
In this case, (x1, y1) is (8, 5) and (x2, y2) is (7, 2). Substituting these values into the formula gives us:
Distance = √[(7 - 8)² + (2 - 5)²]
Distance = √[(-1)² + (-3)²]
Distance = √[1 + 9]
Distance = √10
Therefore, the distance between the two points is √10, which corresponds to option a. √10.