How do you find the distance between (3,2) and (1,-1)?

1 Answer
Alan P.
Sep 11, 2015

Distance between #(3,2)# and #(1,-1)# is# sqrt(13)#

Explanation:

(see image below)
enter image source here
The horizontal distance between #(1,-1)# and #(3,2)# is
#color(white)("XXX")Delta x = abs(3-1) = 2#

The vertical distance between #(-1,-1)# and #(3,2)# is
#color(white)("XXX")Delta y = abs((-1)-2) = 3#

By the Pythagorean Theorem the distance between #(-1,1)# and #(3,2)# is
#color(white)("XXX")sqrt((Delta x)^2+(Delta y)^2)#

#color(white)("XXX")= sqrt(2^2+3^2)#

#color(white)("XXX")= sqrt(13)#

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