Chapter 1: Problem 18
The given numbers are coordinates of points \(A, B,\) and \(C\), respectively, on a coordinate line. Find the distance. A. \(d(A, B)\) B. \(d(B, C)\) C. \(d(C, B)\) D. \(d(A, C)\) $$8 .-4 .-1$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
A: 12, B: 3, C: 3, D: 9
Step by step solution
01
Identify Coordinates
First, identify the given coordinates for points A, B, and C. We have: \( A = 8 \), \( B = -4 \), and \( C = -1 \).
02
Calculate Distance d(A, B)
To find the distance between points A and B, use the formula \( d(A, B) = |A - B| = |8 - (-4)| = |8 + 4| = 12 \).
03
Calculate Distance d(B, C)
To find the distance between points B and C, use the formula \( d(B, C) = |B - C| = |-4 - (-1)| = |-4 + 1| = 3 \).
04
Calculate Distance d(C, B)
Notice that the distance \( d(C, B) \) is the same as \( d(B, C) \) because distance is always positive, so \( d(C, B) = 3 \).
05
Calculate Distance d(A, C)
To find the distance between points A and C, use the formula \( d(A, C) = |A - C| = |8 - (-1)| = |8 + 1| = 9 \).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Coordinate Geometry
Coordinate geometry, also known as analytic geometry, is a branch of mathematics that combines algebra and geometry. It allows us to represent geometric figures on a coordinate plane using numerical coordinates. This makes it simpler to compute properties like distance, midpoint, and angles between different geometric objects.
- In this exercise, points are represented as coordinates on a number line. For example, the point A on a number line is represented by the number 8.
- The number line can be thought of as a simplified version of a coordinate plane, where each point has a single coordinate value.
Absolute Value
The absolute value of a number refers to its distance from zero on a number line. Essentially, it's the number without regard to its sign, whether positive or negative.
- In mathematical terms, the absolute value of a number \( x \) is denoted as \( |x| \).
- This is crucial when calculating distance, as distance should always be a non-negative value.
Distance Formula
The distance formula is a mathematical equation used to determine the length between two points on a line. When working with a coordinate line or a number line, this formula simplifies to calculating the absolute difference between the two given coordinates.
- The formula to calculate the distance \( d \) between two points \( X \) and \( Y \) is \( d(X, Y) = |X - Y| \).
- This formula is derived from the concept of absolute value. It simply takes the difference of two coordinates and determines how far apart they are.
Points on a Line
When we talk about points on a line, particularly a coordinate line or number line, each point corresponds to a single numerical value representing its position. This concept is integral for simplifying complex geometrical problems to more basic arithmetic calculations.
- Each point is a unique value that can be positive, negative, or zero, as seen in our example with points A, B, and C having coordinates 8, -4, and -1.
- Finding the distance between these points involves understanding that each point represents a specific location on the number line.