Find two numbers y such that the distance from (-3, 2) to (5, y) is 10?

Question

Find two numbers y such that the distance from (-3, 2) to (5, y) is 10

Answer 1

To solve this, substitute known values into the distance formula:

d=rad((x1-x2)^2+(y1-y2)^2)

x1=-3

x2=5

y1=2

y2=?

10=rad((-3-5)^2+(2-y)^2)

100=(-8)^2+(2-y)^2

100=64+(2-y)^2

36=(2-y)^2

6=2-y

y=3  This is the only whole number y that satisfies that condition.

Answer 2

Nick H got the numbers wrong.

Yes, (2-y)^2 = 36.  But that means that:

2 - y = +/- 6

So then we have ...

y - 2 = +/- 6

y = +/- 6 + 2

y = 8 or -4