Help: Distance Formula with Unknown Points

[mzkp1120]

Hello,

I'm new to this site and would like some help understanding the proper steps for the Distance Formula when there are unknown points. I have a online math class and there was an example provided however I'm having a difficult time understanding the concept. Please see example below

Find all points (4,y) that are 10 units from the point (-2,-1)

(I have not learned how to use the symbols so these equations will be missing the square root symbol)

10= (-2-4)² + (-1 -y)²

= (-6) +(1+2y+y²) (Where does the 2y come from??)

= 36 + 1 + 2y + y²

= y² + 2y + 37

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(10)² = (y² + 2y+37)²

= y² + 2y + 37

= (y+9) (y-7)

This means y = -9 or y=7, so the two points are (4, -9) and (4, 7)

(The last step where you have to square root is where I'm getting confused, can someone please provide a more detailed explanation of the steps when you square root??)


Thanks in Advance!!!

 

[pka]

Find all points (4,y) that are 10 units from the point (-2,-1)

10= (-2-4)² + (-1 -y)²

It should be $\displaystyle (-2-4)^2+(-1-y)^2=10^2$ Now just solve for $\displaystyle y$ from that point.

 

[mzkp1120]

It should be $\displaystyle (-2-4)^2+(-1-y)^2=10^2$ Now just solve for $\displaystyle y$ from that point.

I should be blatantly honest when I say I suck at math. Please bare with me.

Can you tell me if I'm on the right path by doing it the way you suggested:

(-2-4)² + (-1 - y)² = 10²

(-6) + (-1-y)² = 10²

From this point do I need to square both sides by 36 then subtract? I looked up a youtube video to try and help me understand the steps and that's what was explained but I still seem to not come up with the answer the example has given.

 

[pka]

I should be blatantly honest when I say I suck at math. Please bare with me.

It is not a question of baring with you, you should learn to do basic algebra.

$\displaystyle \\(-2-4)^2+(-1-y)^2=10^2\\36+y^2+2y+1=100\\y^2+2y-63=0\\(y+9)(y-7)=0$

 

[Dale10101]

Couple, three minor things

I think it would be understood if you express a square root as c = SQRT(a^2 +b^2) for example.

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm provides some good tutorial lessons on basic algebra, probably a better tool then a youtube video.

Also "Please bare with me." is quite different from "Please bear with me." Just to let you know. ;-)

 

[mzkp1120]

It is not a question of baring with you, you should learn to do basic algebra.

$\displaystyle \\(-2-4)^2+(-1-y)^2=10^2\\36+y^2+2y+1=100\\y^2+2y-63=0\\(y+9)(y-7)=0$

Well alrighty, I'll take it that coming on to a forum that clearly is geared to help those who may have issues with math is not a option. I will seek help elsewhere to learn basic algebra and bring it to the attention of my school that those who may not have a good understanding of math should not use this site. You have a wonderful day.....

 

[mzkp1120]

I think it would be understood if you express a square root as c = SQRT(a^2 +b^2) for example.

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm provides some good tutorial lessons on basic algebra, probably a better tool then a youtube video.

Also "Please bare with me." is quite different from "Please bear with me." Just to let you know. ;-)

Well thank you grammar nazi...... This site is a joke and to think my professor is actually referring students who are having issues with math to come here. you have a wonderful day as well......

 

[Dale10101]

Ah well

Well thank you grammar nazi...... This site is a joke and to think my professor is actually referring students who are having issues with math to come here. you have a wonderful day as well......

Sorry, I guess you could barely bear the naked truth unbarred perhaps because you have thin skin. Was just trying to save you future embarrassment, but now the embarrassment is mine. Indeed, Sir, Madam, good day to you.

 

[daon2]

Sorry, I guess you could barely bear the naked truth unbarred perhaps because you have thin skin. Was just trying to save you future embarrassment, but now the embarrassment is mine. Indeed, Sir, Madam, good day to you.

Do barely bearded bears barely bear being bare?

 

[mzkp1120]

---

Sorry, I guess you could barely bear the naked truth unbarred perhaps because you have thin skin. Was just trying to save you future embarrassment, but now the embarrassment is mine. Indeed, Sir, Madam, good day to you.

It has nothing to do with me having "thin skin". I clearly stated in my post that I was trying to get a better understanding of the formula however rather than receiving help I have the both of you who Were being condescending and claiming to offer help in the same breathe.....you don't have to save me any embarrassment as it was a grammatical error that happens. Shocker I know.

 

[Dale10101]

right, right

Do barely bearded bears barely bear being bare?

and doesn't that beg the question ... Are hirsute hares harried hilariously hardly haired, or not?

 

[mzkp1120]

Hey buddy, why don't you ask your professor to have a look at this thread?
Let him decide who "the joke" is? You or the site...Deal?

I forwarded this crap to him and he's already sent me to a better source with people who actually have tact...apparently there are other students who have the same complaints so yeah no "the joke" is not on me. I have no shame in admitting that I'm having a hard time with math so whatever point you're trying to make is completely irrelevant....

 

[Dale10101]

And so ...

I think it would be understood if you express a square root as c = SQRT(a^2 +b^2) for example.

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm provides some good tutorial lessons on basic algebra, probably a better tool then a youtube video.

Also "Please bare with me." is quite different from "Please bear with me." Just to let you know. ;-)

My original comments were not condescending.

First, I suggested a shortcut way to save you effort in writing math statements.

Second, since you had gone to the effort of looking at youtube vids I recommended a web site that would probably give you a better return on your effort.

Third, Your malapropism, using "bare" when you meant "bear" conjured an amusing image. That is all it is was, amusing, sure, it could happen to anyone ... I was just trying to smile with you over the "accident". In response you called me a Nazi, and sarcastically wished me a "wonderful day".

You should note that you did receive a detailed response to the question you asked. Was that useful or not?

You should also realize that there are many different people here and, well, another person might have responded differently. Personally I have left feeling red-faced on occasion but you know, does one really have a face on the internet - not so much, and giving and receiving correction is always a touchy biz.

Finally, you should realize that you could have responded to your self-perceived slight in many different ways and produced a different train of events. You could have used humor, "Touchy, touchy mon Capitan". You could have feinted humility "Ah, the burden I bare (oops)." You could have just ignored the supposed slight and boldly continued asking questions.

So here we are. Instead of calling me more names why don't you just shake it off and pursue you main objective, asking questions and getting useful information. As I said there are many different people here and certainly if you continue displaying your efforts at solving problems YOU WILL find sympathetic soles (oops).

(Well, in view of your last post, I guess you have found a more salubrious solution so I suppose you will not be wasting any more time here.)