On a map of Blueville in the standard (x, y) coordinate
plane, where I coordinate unit represents 1 block, the
middle school is at (-8,3) and the high school is at
(4,-2). What is the straight-line distance, in blocks,
between the high school and the middle school?
A. 13
B. 17
c. square root of 7
D. square root of 13
E. square root of 17

Option A: 13 is the distance between the high school and the middle school

Explanation:

Given that the middle school is at (-8,3) and the high school is at (4,-2)

We need to determine distance in blocks between the high school and the middle school.

Distance:

The distance between the high school and the middle school can be determined using the distance formula,

Let us substitute the coordinates (-8,3) and (4,-2) in the above formula, we have,

Simplifying the values, we have,

Squaring the terms, we get,

Adding, we get,

Thus, the distance between the high school and the middle school is 13 blocks.

Hence, Option A is the correct answer.