Please help w/ 'Find distance between (-3,-2), (1,4)'

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pezgrl78

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Apr 27, 2007
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I've done this problem over and over again and I keep getting 4sqrt5. However, it's a multiple choice question and my answer is not one of the choices. Please help!!

Find the distance between (-3,-2) and (1,4)
 
Use that distance formula: \(\displaystyle \L \;d\,=\,sqrt{(x\,_2\,-\,x_1)^2\,+\,(y_2\,-\,y_1)^2}\)

\(\displaystyle \L \;=\,sqrt{(1\,-\,(-3))^2\,+\,(4\,-\,(-2))^2}\)

\(\displaystyle \L \;=\,sqrt{(4)^2\,+\,(6)^2}\)

We have a square root and a pair of 4s and 6s. What do you think the answer will be?

Hint: It's not 4 and 6 = 10.
 
Thank you so much. I made a silly error (5 times!!) The answer is 2 sqrt 13.
I appreciate your help.
 
pezgrl78 said:
Thank you so much. I made a silly error (5 times!!) The answer is 2 sqrt 13.
I appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
I don't see how you get that answer unless the problem you stated is not the same that I helped you on. If you simplify the square root you get 4 * 6 = 24.
 
jonboy said:
pezgrl78 said:
Thank you so much. I made a silly error (5 times!!) The answer is 2 sqrt 13.
I appreciate your help.
Click to expand...

I don't see how you get that answer unless the problem you stated is not the same that I helped you on. If you simplify the square root you get 4 * 6 = 24.
Click to expand...

huh? ... \(\displaystyle \L \sqrt{4^2 + 6^2} = \sqrt{16+36} = \sqrt{52} = \sqrt{4 \cdot 13} = 2\sqrt{13}\)

... just like pezgrl said.
 
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