Question

A marina is in the shape of a coordinate grid. Boat A is docked at (2.4, −3) and Boat B is docked at (−3.4, −3). The boats are ____ units apart.

A: 5.8
B: 6.4
C: 8.8
D: 9.4

Answer 1

$|xb - xa|$
$| - 3.4 - 2.4|$
$| - 5.8| = 5.8$

Answer 2

The correct answer is:

A: 5.8  

Explanation:

We use the distance formula to find this answer:

$d=\sqrt{(y_2-y_1)^2+(x_2-x_1)^2}$

Using our points, we have:

$d=\sqrt{(2.4--3.4)^2+(-3--3)^2}

\\

\\=\sqrt{(2.4+3.4)^2+(-3+3)^2}

\\

\\=\sqrt{5.8^2+0^2}=\sqrt{33.64+0}=\sqrt{33.64}

\\

\\=5.8$