Exercise 26 Page 401

To determine the distance between two points, we use the Distance Formula. The coordinates of the given points are G(- 5,4) and H(2,6).

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

SubstitutePoints

Substitute ( - 5,4) & ( 2,6)

GH=sqrt(( 2-( - 5))^2+( 6- 4)^2)

SubNeg

a-(- b)=a+b

GH=sqrt((2+5)^2+(6-4)^2)

AddSubTerms

Add and subtract terms

GH=sqrt(7^2+2^2)

CalcPow

Calculate power

GH=sqrt(49+4)

AddTerms

Add terms

GH=sqrt(53)

The distance between G and H is sqrt(53). Using a calculator we can estimate that it is about 7.3.