Which expression gives the distance between the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)?
Check the final answer first, then review the worked steps.
Problem
Which expression gives the distance between the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)?
Step-by-step solution
The distance formula between two points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is $\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2}$. For points $(4, 6)$ and $(7, -3)$, this is $\sqrt{(7-4)^2 + (-3-6)^2}$. Option A uses $(6-3)^2$ instead of $(-3-6)^2$. Option D uses $(6+3)^2$ instead of $(-3-6)^2$. Option A is the correct expression.
Answer
$\sqrt{(7-4)^2 + (-3-6)^2}$