Find the value of a, if the distance between the points A( - 3, - 14) and B(a, - 5) is 9 units.
According to the question,
Distance between AB = 9
Coordinates of A ( - 3, - 14)
Coordinates of B (a, - 5)
Distance between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2);
d = 
So,
AB = 
= 9
AB = 
= 9
On squaring both the sides,
We get;
(a + 3)2 + 81 = 81
(a + 3)2 = 0
A = - 3
Hence, the value of a is - 3.
4