Question

The nearest point from the origin is 

(a) (2, –3) 

(b) (6, 0) 

(c) (–2, –1) 

(d) (3, 5)

Answer 1

(c) (–2, –1)

Calculating the distance of each point from the origin, we have

(a) \(\sqrt{(0-2)^2+(0+3)^2} = \sqrt{4+9} = \sqrt{13}\)

(b) \(\sqrt{(0-6)^2+0} = \sqrt{36} = 6\)

(c) \(\sqrt{(0+2)^2+(0+1)^2} = \sqrt{4+1} = \sqrt{5}\)

(d) \(\sqrt{(0-3)^2+(0-5)^2} = \sqrt{9+25} = \sqrt{34}\)

Clearly, (–2, –1) is the nearest point from the origin.