Question

If the distance between points (x, 0) and (0, 3) is 5, what are the values of x?

 

Answer 1

We have to find the unknown x using the distance between A( x , 0)   and B ( 0 , 3 ) which is 5.In general, the distance between A`(x_1 , x_2 )`  and B `(x_2 , y_2) `  is given by,

`AB = sqrt( ( x_2 - x_1 )^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2)`

So,

`5 = sqrt ( ( x -  0)^2 +  ( 0 -3 )^2 ) `

Squaring both the sides we get,

`x^2 - 16 = 0`

So,

`x = +- 4`