SOLUTION: Find all the points having an x-coordinate of 3 whose distance from the point (-2, -1) is 13 using the Pythagorean Theorem. I found the two points using (x - x_0)^2 + (y - y_0)

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: Find all the points having an x-coordinate of 3 whose distance from the point (-2, -1) is 13 using the Pythagorean Theorem. I found the two points using (x - x_0)^2 + (y - y_0)      Log On


   

Question 1199600: Find all the points having an x-coordinate of 3 whose distance from the point (-2, -1) is 13 using the Pythagorean Theorem.
I found the two points using (x - x_0)^2 + (y - y_0)^2 = r^2.

How can I find the same points using the Pythagorean Theorem?

Thanks
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


The distance formula you used to find the answers IS the Pythagorean Theorem....

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added after student replied, saying the instructions were to find the answers using both the distance formula and the Pythagorean Theorem....

In my opinion, those instructions are absurd.

The Pythagorean Theorem says a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2

The distance formula says %28x+-+x_0%29%5E2+%2B+%28y+-+y_0%29%5E2+=+r%5E2

But a=x-x_0 , b=y-y_0 , and c=r ; so the two formulas are the same. Whichever one you use, you are using the same numbers.