Big Ideas Math Geometry, 2014
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Big Ideas Math Geometry, 2014 View details
3. Using Midpoint and Distance Formulas
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Exercise 34 Page 25

Use the Distance Formula.

Segment Lengths: EF=5 and GH≈ 6.4
Congruent? No
Greater Segment Length? GH

Practice makes perfect

To determine if the segments are congruent, we need to find their lengths using the Distance Formula. Let's take a look at these one at a time.

EF

The coordinates of the endpoints are E(1,4) and F(5,1).
EF = sqrt((x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2)
EF=sqrt(( 5- 1)^2+( 1- 4)^2)
Evaluate
EF=sqrt(4^2+(- 3)^2)
EF=sqrt(16+9)
EF=sqrt(25)
EF=5

The length of EF is 5.

GH

The coordinates of the endpoints are G(- 3,1) and H(1,6).
GH = sqrt((x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2)
GH=sqrt(( 1-( - 3))^2+( 6- 1)^2)
Evaluate
GH=sqrt((1+3)^2+(6-1)^2)
GH=sqrt(4^2+5^2)
GH=sqrt(16+25)
GH=sqrt(41)
GH=6.40312...
GH≈ 6.4
The length of GH is about 6.4.

Conclusion

The lengths are not equal, so the segments are not congruent. Since 5 is less than 6.4, we know that the length EF is less than the length GH. EF< GH