Question

The coordinates of the vertices of triangle ABC are 1 -1 B 1, 4 and C 8, 4. WHat is the length in units of the line segment that connects vertex A and vertex B

Answer 1

`AB = 5`

Explanation:

Given

`A =(1,-1)`

`B = (1,4)`

`C = (8,4)`

Required

Distance between vertices A and B

To do this, we simply calculate distance AB using distance formula.

`d = √((x_1-x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2)`

So, we have:

`AB = √((1-1)^2 + (4 - -1)^2)`

Simplify the expression the bracket

`AB = √(0^2 + 5^2)`

Evaluate all squares

`AB = √(0 + 25)`

`AB = √(25)`

Take positive square root

`AB = 5`

Hence, the line segment that connects A and B is 5 units long.