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2 CHAPTER 1 Functions, Graphs, and Limits

1.1 T H E C A R T E S I A N P L A N E A N D T H E D I S TA N C E F O R M U L A
■ Plot points in a coordinate plane and read data presented graphically.
■ Find the distance between two points in a coordinate plane.
■ Find the midpoints of line segments connecting two points.
■ Translate points in a coordinate plane.

The Cartesian Plane

y-axis Just as you can represent real numbers by points on a real number line, you
Vertical real line can represent ordered pairs of real numbers by points in a plane called the
4
3
rectangular coordinate system, or the Cartesian plane, after the French math-
Quadrant II Quadrant I ematician René Descartes (1596–1650).
2
The Cartesian plane is formed by using two real number lines intersecting at
Origin 1 Horizontal real line right angles, as shown in Figure 1.1. The horizontal real number line is usually
x-axis
− 4 −3 − 2 −1 1 2 3 4 called the x-axis, and the vertical real number line is usually called the y-axis.
−1
The point of intersection of these two axes is the origin, and the two axes divide
−2
Quadrant III Quadrant IV the plane into four parts called quadrants.
−3
Each point in the plane corresponds to an ordered pair
x, y of real num-
−4
bers x and y, called coordinates of the point. The x-coordinate represents the
directed distance from the y-axis to the point, and the y-coordinate represents the
FIGURE 1.1 The Cartesian Plane
directed distance from the x-axis to the point, as shown in Figure 1.2.

y-axis

x, y

Directed distance Directed distance

x from y-axis from x-axis
(x, y)
STUDY TIP
y
x-axis The notation
x, y denotes both a point in the plane and an open interval on
the real number line. The context will tell you which meaning is intended.

FIGURE 1.2 EXAMPLE 1 Plotting Points in the Cartesian Plane

Plot the points

1, 2,
3, 4,
0, 0,
3, 0, and

2,
3.

y SOLUTION To plot the point

4 (3, 4)


1, 2
3 x-coordinate y-coordinate
(−1, 2)
imagine a vertical line through
1 on the x-axis and a horizontal line through 2
1
(0, 0) (3, 0)
on the y-axis. The intersection of these two lines is the point

1, 2. The other
x four points can be plotted in a similar way and are shown in Figure 1.3.
− 4 − 3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4
−1
−2
−3
(−2, −3) TRY IT 1
−4
Plot the points

3, 2,
4,
2,
3, 1,
0,
2, and

1,
2.
FIGURE 1.3
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SECTION 1.1 The Cartesian Plane and the Distance Formula 3

Using a rectangular coordinate system allows you to visualize relationships

between two variables. It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of
Descartes’s introduction of coordinates to the plane. Today his ideas are in com-
mon use in virtually every scientific and business-related field. In Example 2,
notice how much your intuition is enhanced by the use of a graphical presentation.

Amounts Spent on Snowmobiles

EXAMPLE 2 Sketching a Scatter Plot A
The amounts A (in millions of dollars) spent on snowmobiles in the United States 1200
from 1993 through 2002 are shown in the table, where t represents the year.

Dollars (in millions)

1000
Sketch a scatter plot of the data. (Source: National Sporting Goods Association)
800
t 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 600

A 515 715 910 974 975 883 820 894 784 808 400

200
SOLUTION To sketch a scatter plot of the data given in the table, you simply
t
represent each pair of values by an ordered pair
t, A, and plot the resulting 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001
points, as shown in Figure 1.4. For instance, the first pair of values is represented Year
by the ordered pair (1993, 515). Note that the break in the t-axis indicates that the
numbers between 0 and 1992 have been omitted. FIGURE 1.4

STUDY TIP
TRY IT 2
In Example 2, you could let
From 1991 to 2000, the enrollments E (in millions) of students in U.S. t  1 represent the year 1993.
public colleges are shown, where t represents the year. Sketch a scatter plot In that case, the horizontal axis
of the data. (Source: U.S. National Center for Education Statistics) would not have been broken,
and the tick marks would have
t 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
been labeled 1 through 10
E 11.3 11.4 11.2 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.2 11.1 11.3 11.8 (instead of 1993 through 2002).

T E C H N O L O G Y

The scatter plot in Example 2 Amounts Spent on Snowmobiles Amounts Spent on Snowmobiles
is only one way to represent the A A
given data graphically. Two other tech-
1200 1200
niques are shown at the right. The first
is a bar graph and the second is a line
Dollars (in millions)

Dollars (in millions)

1000 1000
graph. All three graphical representa- 800 800
tions were created with a computer.
600 600
If you have access to computer graph-
ing software, try using it to represent 400 400
graphically the data given in 200 200
Example 2.
t t
1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001
Year Year
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4 CHAPTER 1 Functions, Graphs, and Limits

The Distance Formula

a2 + b2 = c2
Recall from the Pythagorean Theorem that, for a right triangle with hypotenuse
of length c and sides of lengths a and b, you have
a c a2  b2  c2 Pythagorean Theorem

as shown in Figure 1.5. (The converse is also true. That is, if a 2  b 2  c 2, then
the triangle is a right triangle.)
Suppose you want to determine the distance d between two points
x1, y1
b
and
x2, y2 in the plane. With these two points, a right triangle can be formed, as
shown in Figure 1.6. The length of the vertical side of the triangle is
FIGURE 1.5 Pythagorean Theorem
y2
y1
y
and the length of the horizontal side is

x2
x1.
(x1, y1) By the Pythagorean Theorem, you can write
y1
d  
d 2  x2
x1 2  y2
y1 2 
y2 − y1
(x2, y2)
 
d   x2
x1 2  y2
y1 2  
y2
d  
x2
x12 
y2
y12.
x
x1 x2
This result is the Distance Formula.
x2 − x1

FIGURE 1.6 Distance Between The Distance Formula

Two Points
The distance d between the points
x1, y1 and
x2, y2 in the plane is
d  
x2
x1 2 
y2
y12.

EXAMPLE 3 Finding a Distance

y Find the distance between the points

2, 1 and
3, 4.
(3, 4)
4 SOLUTION Let
x1, y1 

2, 1 and
x2, y2 
3, 4. Then apply the Distance
d Formula as shown.
3
3
(−2, 1) d  
x2
x1 2 
y2
y12 Distance Formula
1  3


22 
4
12 Substitute for x1, y1, x2, and y2.

5 x
 
52 
32 Simplify.
−3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4  34
−1
 5.83 Use a calculator.
FIGURE 1.7 Note in Figure 1.7 that a distance of 5.83 looks about right.

TRY IT 3

Find the distance between the points

2, 1 and
2, 4.
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SECTION 1.1 The Cartesian Plane and the Distance Formula 5

y
EXAMPLE 4 Verifying a Right Triangle

Use the Distance Formula to show that the points
2, 1,
4, 0, and
5, 7 are 8
vertices of a right triangle. (5, 7)

SOLUTION The three points are plotted in Figure 1.8. Using the Distance 6
Formula, you can find the lengths of the three sides as shown below.
d1  
5
22 
7
12  9  36  45 4
d1

d2  
4
22 
0
12  4  1  5 d3

d3  
5
42 
7
02  1  49  50 2
Because (2, 1)
d2
(4, 0)
d12  d 22  45  5  50  d 32 x
2 4 6
you can apply the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem to conclude that the
triangle must be a right triangle. FIGURE 1.8

TRY IT 4

Use the Distance Formula to show that the points
2,
1,
5, 5, and

6,
3 are vertices of a right triangle.

The figures provided with Examples 3 and 4 were not really essential to the
solution. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend that you develop the habit of (50, 45)
including sketches with your solutions—even if they are not required.

EXAMPLE 5 Finding the Length of a Pass

In a football game, a quarterback throws a pass from the five-yard line, 20 yards
from the sideline. The pass is caught by a wide receiver on the 45-yard line,
50 yards from the same sideline, as shown in Figure 1.9. How long was the pass? Line of scrimmage

SOLUTION You can find the length of the pass by finding the distance between
(20, 5)
the points
20, 5 and
50, 45.
d  
50
202 
45
52 Distance Formula 10 20 30 40 50

 900  1600 FIGURE 1.9

 50 Simplify.

So, the pass was 50 yards long.

TRY IT 5

A quarterback throws a pass

STUDY TIP
from the 10-yard line, 10 yards
In Example 5, the scale along the goal line showing distance from the sideline from the sideline. The pass is
does not normally appear on a football field. However, when you use coordi- caught by a wide receiver on
nate geometry to solve real-life problems, you are free to place the coordinate the 30-yard line, 25 yards from
system in any way that is convenient to the solution of the problem. the same sideline. How long
was the pass?
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6 CHAPTER 1 Functions, Graphs, and Limits

The Midpoint Formula

To find the midpoint of the line segment that joins two points in a coordinate
plane, you can simply find the average values of the respective coordinates of the
two endpoints.

The Midpoint Formula

The midpoint of the segment joining the points
x1, y1 and
x2, y2 is
x1  x2 y1  y2

y
Midpoint  , .
2 2
6

(9, 3)
3
(2, 0) EXAMPLE 6 Finding a Segment’s Midpoint
x
−6 −3 3 6 9 Find the midpoint of the line segment joining the points

5,
3 and
9, 3, as
−3 Midpoint shown in Figure 1.10.
(− 5, − 3)
SOLUTION Let
x1, y1 

5,
3 and
x2, y2 
9, 3.
−6
x1  x 2 y1  y2
5  9
3  3
FIGURE 1.10
Midpoint   2
,
2 

2
,
2

2, 0

TRY IT 6

Find the midpoint of the line segment joining

6, 2 and
2, 8.

Starbucks Corporation’s Annual Sales

EXAMPLE 7 Estimating Annual Sales
4.5
(2003, 4.08) Starbucks Corporation had annual sales of $2.65 billion in 2001 and $4.08 billion
(in billions of dollars)

4.0 in 2003. Without knowing any additional information, what would you estimate
3.5 Midpoint the 2002 sales to have been? (Source: Starbucks Corp.)
Sales

3.0
(2002, 3.37) SOLUTION One solution to the problem is to assume that sales followed a
linear pattern. With this assumption, you can estimate the 2002 sales by finding
2.5 (2001, 2.65) the midpoint of the segment connecting the points
2001, 2.65 and
2003, 4.08.

2001 2002
Year
2003 Midpoint  2001 2 2003, 2.65 2 4.08 
2002, 3.37
So, you would estimate the 2002 sales to have been about $3.37 billion, as shown
FIGURE 1.11 in Figure 1.11. (The actual 2002 sales were $3.29 billion.)

TRY IT 7

Maytag Corporation had annual sales of $4.32 billion in 2001 and $4.79 bil-
lion in 2003. What would you estimate the 2002 annual sales to have been?
(Source: Maytag Corp.)
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SECTION 1.1 The Cartesian Plane and the Distance Formula 7

Translating Points in the Plane

EXAMPLE 8 Translating Points in the Plane

Figure 1.12(a) shows the vertices of a parallelogram. Find the vertices of the par-
allelogram after it has been translated two units down and four units to the right.
SOLUTION To translate each vertex two units down, subtract 2 from each
y-coordinate. To translate each vertex four units to the right, add 4 to each
x-coordinate.
Original Point Translated Point

1, 0
1  4, 0
2 
5,
2

3, 2
3  4, 2
2 
7, 0

3, 6
3  4, 6
2 
7, 4

1, 4
1  4, 4
2 
5, 2
The translated parallelogram is shown in Figure 1.12(b).
DREAMWORKS/THE KOBAL COLLECTION
8 8
(3, 6) (3, 6) Many movies now use extensive
(3, 2) (3, 2) (7, 4) computer graphics, much of which
(1, 4)
consists of transformations of
(1, 4)
(5, 2) points in two- and three-dimen-
−6 12 −6 12
(1, 0) (1, 0) (7, 0) sional space. The photo above
(5, −2) shows a scene from Shrek. The
movie’s animators used computer
−4 −4
graphics to design the scenery,
(a) (b)
characters, motion, and even the
FIGURE 1.12 lighting in each scene.

TRY IT 8

Find the vertices of the parallelogram in Example 8 after it has been translated
two units to the left and four units down.

TA K E A N O T H E R L O O K

Transforming Points in a Coordinate Plane

Example 8 illustrates points that have been translated (or slid ) in a coordinate plane. a.
x, y

x, y
The translated parallelogram is congruent to (has the same size and shape as) the
b.
x, y
x,
y
original parallelogram. Try using a graphing utility to graph the transformed parallelo-
gram for each of the following transformations. Describe the transformation. Is it a c.
x, y

x,
y
translation, a reflection, or a rotation? Is the transformed parallelogram congruent to
the original parallelogram?
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8 CHAPTER 1 Functions, Graphs, and Limits

P R E R E Q U I S I T E The following warm-up exercises involve skills that were covered in earlier sections. You will
R E V I E W 1 . 1 use these skills in the exercise set for this section.

In Exercises 1–6, simplify each expression.

1. 
3
62  1


52 2. 

2
0 2  
7


3 2
5 

4
3 

1
3. 4.
2 2
5. 27  12 6. 8
18

In Exercises 7–10, solve for x or y.

7. 
3
x2 
7
4 2  45 8. 
6
22 

2
y2  52
x 

5
7  y
9. 7 10. 
3
2 2

E X E R C I S E S 1 . 1

In Exercises 1–6, (a) find the length of each side of the right In Exercises 7–14, (a) plot the points, (b) find the distance
triangle and (b) show that these lengths satisfy the Pythagorean between the points, and (c) find the midpoint of the line segment
Theorem. joining the points.
*1. y 2. y 7.
3, 1,
5, 5 8.

3, 2,
3,
2
(13, 6)
(4, 3) 9.
1
2, 1,

32,
5 10.
23,
13 ,
56, 1
c
b 11.
2, 2,
4, 14 12.

3, 7,
1,
1
c b a
(0, 0) (4, 0)
x
13.
1, 3 ,

1, 1 14.

2, 0,
0,2 
a x (1, 1) (13, 1)
In Exercises 15–18, show that the points form the vertices of the
3. y 4. y given figure. (A rhombus is a quadrilateral whose sides have the
(2, 5) same length.)
Vertices Figure

c
(7, 4)
b c 15.
0, 1,
3, 7,
4,
1 Right triangle
(−3, 1) b
a (7, 1)
x x 16.
1,
3,
3, 2,

2, 4 Isosceles triangle
a 17.
0, 0,
1, 2,
2, 1,
3, 3 Rhombus
(2, − 2) (6, − 2)
18.
0, 1,
3, 7,
4, 4,
1,
2 Parallelogram
5. y 6. y
In Exercises 19–22, use the Distance Formula to determine
(−3, 3) (− 4, 3) whether the points are collinear (lie on the same line).
c
a (1, 1) 19.
0,
4,
2, 0,
3, 2 20.
0, 4,
7,
6,

5, 11
c
b
x b x 21.

2,
6,
1,
3,
5, 2 22.

1, 1,
3, 3,
5, 5
(− 4, 1)
a In Exercises 23 and 24, find x such that the distance between the
(−3, − 2) (1, −2)
points is 5.
23.
1, 0,
x,
4 24.
2,
1,
x, 2

In Exercises 25 and 26, find y such that the distance between the
* The answers to the odd-numbered and selected even exercises are
points is 8.
given in the back of the text. Worked-out solutions to the odd-
numbered exercises are given in the Student Solutions Guide. 25.
0, 0,
3, y 26.
5, 1,
5, y
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SECTION 1.1 The Cartesian Plane and the Distance Formula 9

27. Use the Midpoint Formula repeatedly to find the three In Exercises 33 and 34, use a graphing utility to graph a scatter
points that divide the segment joining
x1, y1 and
x2, y2 plot, a bar graph, or a line graph to represent the data. Describe
into four equal parts. any trends that appear.
28. Show that
13 2x1  x2 , 13 2y1  y2   is one of the points of 33. Consumer Trends The numbers (in millions) of cable
trisection of the line segment joining
x1, y1 and
x2, y2. television subscribers in the United States for 1992–2001
Then, find the second point of trisection by finding the are shown in the table. (Source: Nielsen Media Research)
midpoint of the segment joining

13 2x
1 Year 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1  x2 , 2y1  y2  and
x2, y2 .
3 Subscribers 57.2 58.8 60.5 63.0 64.6
29. Use Exercise 27 to find the points that divide the line seg-
ment joining the given points into four equal parts.
Year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
(a)
1,
2,
4,
1
Subscribers 65.9 67.0 68.5 69.3 73.0
(b)

2,
3,
0, 0
30. Use Exercise 28 to find the points of trisection of the line
segment joining the given points. 34. Consumer Trends The numbers (in millions) of cellu-
lar telephone subscribers in the United States for
(a)
1,
2,
4, 1
1993–2002 are shown in the table. (Source: Cellular
(b)

2,
3,
0, 0 Telecommunications & Internet Association)
31. Building Dimensions The base and height of the
trusses for the roof of a house are 32 feet and 5 feet, Year 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
respectively (see figure).
Subscribers 16.0 24.1 33.8 44.0 55.3
(a) Find the distance d from the eaves to the peak of the
roof.
Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
(b) The length of the house is 40 feet. Use the result of
part (a) to find the number of square feet of roofing. Subscribers 69.2 86.0 109.5 128.4 140.8

Dow Jones Industrial Average In Exercises 35 and 36, use

d 40 the figure below showing the Dow Jones Industrial Average for
5 common stocks. (Source: Dow Jones, Inc.)
32 35. Estimate the Dow Jones Industrial Average for each date.
32. Wire Length A guy wire is stretched from a broadcast- (a) March 2002 (b) December 2002
ing tower at a point 200 feet above the ground to an anchor (c) May 2003 (d) January 2004
125 feet from the base (see figure). How long is the wire?
36. Estimate the percent increase or decrease in the Dow Jones
Industrial Average (a) from April 2002 to November 2002
and (b) from June 2003 to February 2004.

c Figure for 35 and 36

200 ft
Dow Jones Industrial Average

11,000
Mar. Jan.
10,600
125 ft 10,200
9,800
9,400
Dec.
9,000
May
8,600
8,200
The symbol indicates an exercise in which you are instructed to use 7,800
graphing technology or a symbolic computer algebra system. The solu-
J F MAM J J A S O N D J F MAM J J A S O N D J F
tions of other exercises may also be facilitated by use of appropriate
2002 2003 2004
technology.
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10 CHAPTER 1 Functions, Graphs, and Limits

Construction In Exercises 37 and 38, use the figure, which Computer Graphics In Exercises 41 and 42, the red figure is
shows the median sales prices of existing one-family homes sold translated to a new position in the plane to form the blue figure.
(in thousands of dollars) in the United States from 1987 to 2002. (a) Find the vertices of the transformed figure. (b) Then use a
(Source: National Association of Realtors) graphing utility to draw both figures.
37. Estimate the median sales price of existing one-family 41. y
homes for each year.
3

3 units
(a) 1987 (b) 1992
(c) 1997 (d) 2002 (−3, −1) 1
x
38. Estimate the percent increases in the value of existing 1 2 3
one-family homes (a) from 1993 to 1994 and (b) from 2001 (0, 0)
to 2002. (−1, −2) 2 units
−3
Figure for 37 and 38
42. y
(1, 3)
160 3
(in thousands of dollars)

150 (0, 2)
(3, 1)
Median Sales Price

140 3 units 1
130 x
120 1 3
(2, 0)

3 units
110
100
90
80

1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 43. Economics The table shows the numbers of ear infec-
Year tions treated by doctors at HMO clinics of three different
sizes: small, medium, and large.

Research Project In Exercises 39 and 40, (a) use the Midpoint Cases per Cases per Cases per Number of
Formula to estimate the revenue and profit of the company in small clinic medium clinic large clinic doctors
2001. (b) Then use your school’s library, the Internet, or some
0 0 0 0
other reference source to find the actual revenue and profit for
2001. (c) Did the revenue and profit increase in a linear pattern 20 30 35 1
from 1999 to 2003? Explain your reasoning. (d) What were the
company’s expenses during each of the given years? (e) How 28 42 49 2
would you rate the company’s growth from 1999 to 2003? 35 53 62 3
(Source: Walgreen Company and The Yankee Candle Company)
39. Walgreen Company 40 60 70 4

(a) Show the relationship between doctors and treated ear

Year 1999 2001 2003
infections using three curves, where the number of doc-
Revenue (millions of $) 17,839 32,505 tors is on the horizontal axis and the number of ear
infections treated is on the vertical axis.
Profit (millions of $) 624.1 1157.3
(b) Compare the three relationships.
40. The Yankee Candle Company (Source: Adapted from Taylor, Economics, Fourth Edition)

Year 1999 2001 2003

Revenue (millions of $) 256.6 508.6

Profit (millions of $) 34.3 74.8

The symbol indicates an exercise that contains material from text-

books in other disciplines.