What is the length of the line segment with endpoints (-3,4.5) and (5, 4.5)?

1 Answer
Jan 13, 2017

Length: #color(green)8# units

Explanation:

The easiest way to see this is to note that both points are on the same horizontal line (#y=4.5#) so the distance between them is simply
#color(white)("XXX")abs(Deltax)=abs(-3-5)=8#

If you really want you could use the more general distance formula:
#color(white)("XXX")"distance" = sqrt((Deltax)^2+(Deltay)^2)#

#color(white)("XXXXXXXX")=sqrt((-3-5)^2+(4.5-4.5)^2)#

#color(white)("XXXXXXXX")=sqrt((-8)^2+0^2)#

#color(white)("XXXXXXXX")=sqrt(64)#

#color(white)("XXXXXXXX")=8#