Find exact distance between (3, -2) and (-4, 1)

[ochocki]

I used the Distance Formula to find the distance between the points (3, -2) and (-4, 1), I will just plug in the numbers.

. . .d = sqrt[ (-4 - 3)^2 + (-4 - (-2))^2 ]

. . . . .= sqrt[ (-4 - 3)^2 + (-4 + 2))^2 ]

. . . . .= sqrt[ (-7)^2 + (-2)^2 ]

. . . . .= sqrt[ 49 + 4 ]

Then d = sqrt[53], or about 7.280109; approximately 7.3 units.

I can't find anything I am doing wrong, I think what is confusing me is the "exact" in the directions. I was sort of thinking it would be a whole number. Can you guys find anything wrong with my answer?
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Edited by stapel -- Reason for edit: formatting

 

[stapel]

"Exact" means just that: exact; not a decimal approximation. "The square root of fifty-three" is exact; "roundsabout 7.3" is not.

Eliz.

 

[ochocki]

That makes sense, thank you.

 

[Denis]

Check your work: you did not use the 1 in (-4,1) :shock: