Question

What is the distance between the points (-6,7) and (-1,1)?Round to the nearest whole unit.

Answer 1

The distance is `8`

Explanation:

The easiest way is to use the distance formula, which is kinda tricky:
`d = sqrt((x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2`

That looks really complex, but if you take it slowly, I'll try and help you through it.

So let's call `(-6,7)` Point 1. Since points are given in the form `(x,y)` we can deduct that

`-6 = x_1` and `7 = y_1`

Let's call `(-1,1)` Point 2. So:

`-1 = x_2` and `1=y_2`

Let's plug these numbers into the distance formula:
`d = sqrt((x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2`
`d = sqrt((-1 - -6)^2 + (1 - 7)^2`
`d = sqrt((5)^2 + (-6)^2`
`d = sqrt(25 + 36`
`d = sqrt61`
`d ~~ 7.8` rounded to the nearest whole unit is `8`

This is quite the hard subject, and is best taught by someone who knows how to explain well! This is a really good video about the distance formula:
Khan Academy distance formula video