Question

Dawn’s friend Melissa lives 3 blocks west and 4 blocks south of Dawn. Dawn’s friend Caroline lives 5 blocks east and 1 block north of Dawn. How far do Melissa and Caroline live from each other?

Answer 1

Hello @mackenziebnicole did you try drawing this out?

Answer 2

It's basically a graph

Answer 3

no i just need the answer

Answer 4

You can use the distance formula between these two points.
\[D = \sqrt (x _{2-} x _{1})^2 + (y _{2} - y _{1})^2\]
Say Dawn is at the origin (0,0)
That means Melissa is at (-3, -4)
and Caroline is at (5, 1)
Input:
\[D = \sqrt (5- -3)^2 + (1 - -4)^2 \]
\[D = \sqrt (5+3)^2 + (1+4)^2 \]
\[D = \sqrt (8)^2 + (5)^2 \]
\[D = \sqrt 64+ 25\]
\[D = \sqrt 89\]
\[D = 9.4\]

Answer 5

\[D = 9.43398113206\]
^more decimal places if your teacher wants you to round to a certain place.

Answer 6

You could also solve this using Pythagorean's Theorem, since we have basically drawing a triangle, solving for the hypotenuse.





\[8^2 + 5^2 = c^2\]
\[64 + 25 = c^2\]
\[89 = c^2\]
\[\sqrt 89 = c\]
\[9.4 = c\]

Gets you the same answer a bit faster.

Answer 7

@mackenziebnicole Makes sense?

Answer 8

oh wow yes i get it now thanks so much

Answer 9

No problem. Glad I could help.