Question

Find the distance between (4, -1) and (-2, -1). Round answer to the nearest tenth. *

Answer 1

Answer: 6

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Work Shown:

`\text{Distance Formula}\\\\d = √((x_1-x_2)^2 + (y_1-y_2)^2)\\\\d = √((4-(-2))^2 + (-1-(-1))^2)\\\\d = √((4+2)^2 + (-1+1)^2)\\\\d = √((6)^2 + (0)^2)\\\\d = √(36)\\\\d = 6\\\\`

This value is exact. No rounding is needed.

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A shortcut is to subtract the x coordinates and apply absolute value

So either |x1-x2| = |4-(-2)| = |4+2| = |6| = 6

Or |x2-x1| = |-2-4| = |-6| = 6

This shortcut only works because the y coordinates the same for both points.

On a graph, you can plot the two points and count the spaces between them. You should count out 6 spaces.

Answer 2

6

Explanation:

You substitute the points into the distance formula. There aren't decimals in this answer, so I don't think you need to round to the nearest tenth. You can also check by plotting these points down on a graph.

(4, -1) (-2, -1)

The y coordinates are the same, you just need to count from -2 to 4. There are 2 steps before 0 and 4 steps after 0. So 2 + 4 is 6.