Question

Find the length of the straight line y = mx from x=0 to x=a, where m and a are positive constants.

Answer 1

\[\sqrt{(a-0)^2 + (ma-0)^2}\] = distance from point 1 to point 2 = length of the line segment from x=0 to x=a

Answer 2

Because the distance formula between two points is \[\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}\]

Answer 3

Thank you! Is there a way to solve this via geometry as well?

Answer 4

(Pythagorean theorem)

Answer 5

Yes, by drawing a triangle, which is actually where this formula for distance comes from.

Answer 6

see?

Answer 7

Oh wow thank you very much!!! This is so helpful

Answer 8

My pleasure. :)