SOLUTION: I need help finding the distance between the points (3, 8) and (-1, 9)please and a set of easy steps to follow if so I can do more questions like it Thank you!

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: I need help finding the distance between the points (3, 8) and (-1, 9)please and a set of easy steps to follow if so I can do more questions like it Thank you!      Log On


   

Question 211521: I need help finding the distance between the points (3, 8) and (-1, 9)please and a set of easy steps to follow if so I can do more questions like it Thank you!
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Note: is the first point . So this means that x%5B1%5D=3 and y%5B1%5D=8.
Also, is the second point . So this means that x%5B2%5D=-1 and y%5B2%5D=9.



d=sqrt%28%28x%5B1%5D-x%5B2%5D%29%5E2%2B%28y%5B1%5D-y%5B2%5D%29%5E2%29 Start with the distance formula.


d=sqrt%28%283--1%29%5E2%2B%288-9%29%5E2%29 Plug in x%5B1%5D=3, x%5B2%5D=-1, y%5B1%5D=8, and y%5B2%5D=9.


d=sqrt%28%284%29%5E2%2B%288-9%29%5E2%29 Subtract -1 from 3 to get 4.


d=sqrt%28%284%29%5E2%2B%28-1%29%5E2%29 Subtract 9 from 8 to get -1.


d=sqrt%2816%2B%28-1%29%5E2%29 Square 4 to get 16.


d=sqrt%2816%2B1%29 Square -1 to get 1.


d=sqrt%2817%29 Add 16 to 1 to get 17.


So our answer is d=sqrt%2817%29


Which approximates to d=4.123


So the distance between the two points is approximately 4.123 units.