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Question 23: Coordinate-Plane Distance

On this page
  1. Original question and givens
  2. Definition and scope
  3. Step-by-step derivation
  4. Reverse checks
  5. Result
  6. This question review and source binding

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P250-0023 · q-20260912-distance-coordinate-0023

Original question and givens

In the Euclidean plane, P=(-10, 4) and Q=(6, -26). Find the distance d(P,Q).

  • G001 — In the Euclidean plane, P=(-10, 4) and Q=(6, -26). Find the distance d(P,Q).

Definition and scope

Distance uses the nonnegative principal square root, following existing source assumption a3. Coincident points have zero distance; the selected pairs are distinct and have positive distances.

Step-by-step derivation

S001 · implies

Before

P=(-10,4), Q=(6,-26)

After

Δx=Q_x−P_x; Δy=Q_y−P_y

Conditions: none

Use the same direction Q−P for both coordinate differences.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: coordinate_difference · Uses: G001

S002 · calculation

Before

Δx := sub(6, -10)

After

Δx = 16

Conditions: none

Subtract -10 from 6; keep parentheses around negative coordinates.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S001

S003 · calculation

Before

Δy := sub(-26, 4)

After

Δy = -30

Conditions: none

The vertical difference is -26 minus 4.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S002

S004 · calculation

Before

(Δx)² := square(16)

After

(Δx)² = 256

Conditions: none

Square the entire horizontal difference, not just the subtracted coordinate.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S003

S005 · calculation

Before

(Δy)² := square(-30)

After

(Δy)² = 900

Conditions: none

The square is nonnegative even when the vertical difference is negative.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S004

S006 · calculation

Before

d² := sum(256, 900)

After

d² = 1156

Conditions: none

Add the two squares in the Euclidean distance formula.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S005

S007 · implies

Before

d²=1156, d≥0

After

d=√(1156)=34

Conditions: d≥0

Since 34²=1156 and distance is nonnegative, choose the nonnegative root 34.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: nonnegative_square_root · Uses: G001, S006

S008 · calculation

Before

answer² := square(34)

After

answer² = 1156

Conditions: none

Square the proposed distance to recover the original sum of squares.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S007

Reverse checks

  • S008 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute answer² with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S007 · premise_and_result_audit — The negative root is not a distance, and squared distance is not distance itself.
  • S006 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute d² with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S005 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute (Δy)² with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S004 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute (Δx)² with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S003 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute Δy with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S002 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute Δx with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S001 · premise_and_result_audit — Swapping the points changes both signs but not the sum of squares.

Result

34

The distance is 34.

This question review and source binding

Review date: 2026-10-24

Original questions, answers, step expressions, numeric ASTs and historical records are retained. Source candidate labels remain historical and are not overwritten as formal proof.

Source hashes and review receipts
  • input commit: 0f7be61e2c22317a4075561dc822c87d881a50db
  • original question SHA-256: 64ce7499f5ed9d46f194c0f0a89157e534f7011ad8886efa45b5cd877b5ee641
  • candidate record SHA-256: 37638224bb87ec2681042ce38f8a190c49b4329231c404d9a81bd2d16a6a4e4a
  • semantic review receipt SHA-256: ada91cd601dc368efd790cdd3aa80d0c7432d82b465fcdd1eef5148d3959755c
  • question-first witness SHA-256: c36a153d3b48c84ba1bb7f6534cc6b835c243b74dd8080300b8026ab133fc6f6
  • Lean: NOT_RUN · human review: NOT_PERFORMED
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