The perimeter of the fence, formed by posts at coordinates L(3, 2), A(3, -1), M(-5, 1), and B(-5, 2), is 22 units. Thus, the correct answer is C.
To find the perimeter of the fence, you need to calculate the distances between consecutive posts and then sum them up.
The distance between two points
is given by the distance formula:
![\[ \text{Distance} = √((x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2) \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/go015lguogns5j3p820816nq99x870qhmx.png)
Now, let's calculate the distances for the given points:
1. Distance between L (3, 2) and A (3, -1):
![\[ LA = √((3 - 3)^2 + (-1 - 2)^2) = 3 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/6uus7r77ubw4x20cgk1tpmj01wscwy3fmf.png)
2. Distance between A (3, -1) and M (-5, 1):
![\[ AM = √((-5 - 3)^2 + (1 - (-1))^2) = 10 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/wladpgdcnvwdhnndq4pijme5kswu4vcmnf.png)
3. Distance between M (-5, 1) and B (-5, 2):
![\[ MB = √((-5 - (-5))^2 + (2 - 1)^2) = 1 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/b2souwhkewlqkik07jn57dwcs3n5ffq68z.png)
4. Distance between B (-5, 2) and L (3, 2):
![\[ BL = √((3 - (-5))^2 + (2 - 2)^2) = 8 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/idmeklesbmdsk6gpn9hr70ob1xh2877exe.png)
Now, sum up these distances to find the perimeter:
![\[ \text{Perimeter} = LA + AM + MB + BL = 3 + 10 + 1 + 8 = 22 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/55ziiqzald8c41gse4lwbt3xixdmkm93o3.png)
Therefore, the correct answer is: C. 22