SOLUTION: Use the Distance Formula and the x-axis of the coordinate plane. Show why the distance between two points on a number line (the x-axis) is | a – b |, where a and b are the x-coordi

Algebra ->  Length-and-distance -> SOLUTION: Use the Distance Formula and the x-axis of the coordinate plane. Show why the distance between two points on a number line (the x-axis) is | a – b |, where a and b are the x-coordi      Log On


   

Question 982763: Use the Distance Formula and the x-axis of the coordinate plane. Show why the distance between two points on a number line (the x-axis) is | a – b |, where a and b are the x-coordinates of the points
Answer by josgarithmetic(39629) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Vertical coordinates are 0 while horizontal components would be two values neither necessarily being zero.

Points (a,0) and (b,0);

sqrt%28%28a-b%29%5E2%2B%280-0%29%5E2%29

sqrt%28%28a-b%29%5E2%29

Without getting into too much more detailed discussion, main result of that expression is (a-b).