Question

Point P has coordinates (-4, -2) and point Q has coordinates (4, 3).

Calculate the shortest distance between P and Q.
Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

Answer 1

≈ 9.4

Explanation:

Calculate the distance d using the distance formula

d =
`\sqrt{(x_(2)-x_(1))^2+(y_(2)-y_(1))^2 }`

with (x₁, y₁ ) = P (- 4, - 2 ) and (x₂, y₂ ) = Q (4, 3 )

PQ =
`√((4-(-4))^2+(3-(-2))^2)`

=
`√((4+4)^2+(3+2)^2)`

=
`√(8^2+5^2)`

=
`√(64+25)`

=
`√(89)`

≈ 9.4 ( to 1 dec. place )