What is the length of the line segment between #(5, -7)# and #(5, 11)#?

1 Answer
Mar 4, 2017

The length of the line segment between the two points is #18#

Explanation:

The formula for calculating the distance between two points is:

#d = sqrt((color(red)(x_2) - color(blue)(x_1))^2 + (color(red)(y_2) - color(blue)(y_1))^2)#

Substituting the values from the points in the problem gives:

#d = sqrt((color(red)(5) - color(blue)(5))^2 + (color(red)(11) - color(blue)(-7))^2)#

#d = sqrt((color(red)(5) - color(blue)(5))^2 + (color(red)(11) + color(blue)(7))^2)#

#d = sqrt(0^2 + 18^2)#

#d = sqrt(18^2) = 18#