Final answer:
The distance between the points (-8.4, 5.1) and (3.7, 5.1) is calculated using the formula for distance on a coordinate plane. Since the y-coordinates are the same, the distance is simply the difference in x-coordinates, which is 12.1 units. The correct option is (a) 12.1 units.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distance between two points on a coordinate plane is determined by the formula d = √((x2-x1)² + (y2-y1)²). Since the y-coordinates of the points (−8.4, 5.1) and (3.7, 5.1) are the same, we only need to consider the difference in x-coordinates to find the distance. The calculation is as follows:
- Find the difference in x-coordinates: 3.7 - (−8.4) = 3.7 + 8.4 = 12.1
- The y-coordinates are the same, so Δy = 0.
- Plug Δx = 12.1 and Δy = 0 into the distance formula: d = √((12.1)² + (0)²) = √(146.41) = 12.1
Therefore, the distance between the points is 12.1 units.
The correct option is (a) 12.1 units.