the coordinate of point A,B and C are (5,4) (-2,1) and (4,-4) respectively which point B or C is closer to point A

Question

the coordinate of point A,B and C  are (5,4) (-2,1) and (4,-4) respectively which point B or C is closer to point A

Answer 1

The distance between two points (x₁,y₁) and (x₂,y₂) = √((x₁-x₂)²+(y₁-y₂)²)

 

Distance between A and B = √((5--2)²+(4-1)²) = √(7²+3²) = √(49+9) = √58 = 7.62

 

Distance between A and C = √(1²+8²) = √65 = 8.06

 

Point B is closer to A.

 

Another method to solve this problem is to draw the points on a graph paper and measure distance with a ruler.

 

Relevant Mathematical Concepts:

1. Pythagorean theorem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_theorem
2. Cartesian coordinate system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartesian_coordinate_system