DaQuan marks two points on the coordinate plane. One point is L(4, 2) and the other point is M(7, 6) What is the correct way for DaQuan to set up the distance formula?

d = sqrt((2 - 4) ^ 2 + (6 - 7) ^ 2)

d = sqrt((2 - 7) ^ 2 + (4 - 6) ^ 2)

d = sqrt((4 - 7) ^ 2 + (2 - 6) ^ 2)

d = sqrt((6 - 7) ^ 2 + (2 - 4) ^ 2)

1 answer

To set up the distance formula correctly between the points L(4, 2) and M(7, 6), we use the formula:

\[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]

Here, \( (x_1, y_1) = (4, 2) \) for point L and \( (x_2, y_2) = (7, 6) \) for point M.

Substituting the coordinates into the formula:

\[ d = \sqrt{(7 - 4)^2 + (6 - 2)^2} \]

This simplifies to:

\[ d = \sqrt{(3)^2 + (4)^2} \]

Thus, the correct way for DaQuan to set up the distance formula is:

d = sqrt((4 - 7) ^ 2 + (2 - 6) ^ 2)

So, the correct option is:

d = sqrt((4 - 7) ^ 2 + (2 - 6) ^ 2).