Question

Find the distance between the points ( - 9, - 12) and (18, - 12)

Answer 1

Hello from MrBillDoesMath!

Answer:

27

Discussion:

By the distance formula (or Pythagorean theorem)

distance =   sqrt ( (change in x)^2 + (change in y)^2)

In our case this becomes

distance =   sqrt (   (18 - (-9) )^2 + (-12 - ( -12))^2)

               =  sqrt (    ( 18 + 9) ^2   + ( -12 + 12) ^ 2)

               =  sqrt (  ( 18 + 9) ^2 + 0^2 )

               = sqrt ( 27^2)

               = 27

 

Geometrically, as both y coordinates = -12, the points define a horizontal line segment. The length is then simply the difference of the x coordinates, 18 - (-9) = 18 +9 = 27. Same answer as before

Thank you,

MrB