Question

Find the length of the longest side of the rectangle whose vertices are given. a(2, 1), b(5, 4), c(0, 3), d(3, 6)

Answer 1

First, you plot the coordinates to visualize the problem clearly. As you can see in the picture, the longest sides could either be one of those marked in red. This could be initially determined when you use visual estimation. We measure this using the distance formula: d = √[(x2-x1)^2 + (y2-y1)^2)]

Between coordinates (0,3) and (3,6)
d = √[(3-0)^2 + (6-3)^2)]
d= 4.24 units

Between coordinates (2,1) and (5,4)
d = √[(5-2)^2 + (4-1)^2)]
d= 4.24 units

They are of equal length. Both are the longest sides which measures 4.24 units.