Question

one end of a line segment of length 10 units is at the point(-3,2).If the ordinate of the other end is 10,find its abscissa

Answer 1

Its abscissa is 3.

we have to use pythagorous theoram to solve it.

we know that the line segment is of 10 units and the coordinate is (-3,2).

From we can conclude that the hypotenuse is 10 units since line segment is of 10 units and the perpendicular is 8 units since the ordinate is 10 and it is formed 2 units above the x-axis so 10-2=8, now we have to find the base.

so,

  (perpendicular)^2  +  (base)^2  = (hypotenuse)^2

   (8)^2 + (base)^2 = (10)^2

   64 + (base)^2 = 100

   (base)^2 =100-64

   (base)^2 =36

    base =   6

now the abscissa is 3 since it is formed 3 units away from the y-axis.

then,

     6- 3= 3

therefore its abscissa is 3.