Question

question 2 of 10
when you use the distance formula, you are building a right triangle whose
_____ connects two given points.

a. shorter leg

b. hypotenuse

c. right angle

d. longer leg

Explanation:

The distance formula is derived from the Pythagorean theorem. When finding the distance between two points \((x_1,y_1)\) and \((x_2,y_2)\), we create a right triangle where the horizontal and vertical differences between the points are the legs (\(\vert x_2 - x_1\vert\) and \(\vert y_2 - y_1\vert\)), and the distance between the two points is the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle, connecting the two points). Options A, C, and D are incorrect: the shorter/longer legs are the horizontal/vertical differences, and a right angle is not a side.

Answer:

B. hypotenuse