SOLUTION: The lengths of the hour and minute hands of a clock are 4cm and 6cm respectively. What is the distance, in cm, between the tips of the hands at 2 o-clock.

Coordinates for the tip of the shorter hand at this time are  (,) = (4*cos(60°),4*sin(60°)) = (,) = (,).


Coordinates for the tip of the longer hand at this time are (,) = (0,6).


Now apply the formula for the distance between two points in a coordinate plane given by their coordinates


     =  + .


In your case,  dx =  = -2;  dy =  = .


Therefore,    =  + .


At this point, I leave it to you to complete calculations.


You just have all needed instructions, and the way is clear.