Question

The distance between D(-3,5) and E(x, 9) is 15. Find the value(s) of the
missing coordinate.

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

x ≈ -17.457 or 11.457

Explanation:

The distance formula can help.

d = √((x2 -x1)² +(y2 -y1)²)

Substituting given values, we have ...

15 = √((x -(-3))² +(9 -5)²)

225 = (x +3)² +16 . . . . . . . . square both sides

209 = (x +3)² . . . . . . . . . . . subtract 16

±√209 = x +3 . . . . . . . . . take the square root

-3 ± √209 = x . . . . . . . . subtract 3

x ≈ -17.457 or 11.457