On a coordinate plane, a point is 5 units to the left and 3.5 units down. Bernadette says that the plotted point is located at (−5, −41
2
). What is Bernadette's error?

She switched the x- and y-coordinates.
Both coordinates should be positive values.
The x-coordinate should be 5.
The y-coordinate should be Negative 3 and one-half.

The y-coordinate should be Negative 3 and one-half.

Step-by-step explanation:

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4

-1   1/6.   you dont subtract the denominators

step-by-step explanation: