Question

Find the distance between the points. (0,4) and (-3,4) The distance is

Answer 1

Answer:  3 units

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Explanation:

The y coordinates are identical, so we just need to focus on the x coordinates.

Going from 0 to -3 is a distance of 3 units. Drawing out a number line might help.

Or we could apply subtraction and absolute value

|x1-x2| = |0-(-3)| = |0+3| = |3| = 3

which is the same as

|x2-x1| = |-3-0| = |-3| = 3

The absolute value is to ensure the result is never negative. Distance is never negative.

Side note: if the y coordinates weren't the same, then we'd have to use either the pythagorean theorem or the distance formula.