Question

Two roads that cross at right angles are used as the coordinate axes for a city map. A hospital is located at the point (−1.25, −5.5) -1.25, -5.5 . How far is the hospital from each road?

Answer 1

• 1.25 units
• 5.5 units

Explanation:

If we call the roads "x" and "y", the first coordinate measures the distance from road "y" in the direction parallel to the "x" road. The hospital is 1.25 units from the "y" road.

The second coordinate measures the distance from road "x" in the direction parallel to the "y" road. The hospital is 5.5 units from the "y" road.

The sign of each coordinate tells which side of the reference road the hospital is on. Since we're only asked about distance, the sign is irrelevant.