Question

Use the Distance Formula and the x-axis of the coordinate plane. Show why the distance between two points on a number line (the x-axis) is | a – b |, where a and b are the x-coordinates of the points.

How would I solve this?

Answer 1

so your two points are A(a,0) and B(b,0)


from A to B = √( (b-a)^2 + 0^2)
from B to A = √( (a-b)^2 + 0^2)

but (a-b)^2 = (b-a)^2 , (when you square a number the result is positive)
e.g. 5^2 = (-5)^2

so the two results are the same

Answer 2

thank you so much!