Question: Prove that the points A(1, 1), B(-2, 7) and C(3, -3) are collinear.
1. **State the problem:** We need to prove that points A(1, 1), B(-2, 7), and C(3, -3) lie on the same straight line, i.e., they are collinear.
2. **Formula used:** The distance between two points $P(x_1, y_1)$ and $Q(x_2, y_2)$ is given by:
$$d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}$$
3. **Calculate distances:**
- Distance $AB$:
$$AB = \sqrt{(-2 - 1)^2 + (7 - 1)^2} = \sqrt{(-3)^2 + 6^2} = \sqrt{9 + 36} = \sqrt{45} = 3\sqrt{5}$$
- Distance $BC$:
$$BC = \sqrt{(3 + 2)^2 + (-3 - 7)^2} = \sqrt{5^2 + (-10)^2} = \sqrt{25 + 100} = \sqrt{125} = 5\sqrt{5}$$
- Distance $AC$:
$$AC = \sqrt{(3 - 1)^2 + (-3 - 1)^2} = \sqrt{2^2 + (-4)^2} = \sqrt{4 + 16} = \sqrt{20} = 2\sqrt{5}$$
4. **Check collinearity condition:**
If points are collinear, the sum of the lengths of two segments equals the third:
$$AB + AC = 3\sqrt{5} + 2\sqrt{5} = 5\sqrt{5} = BC$$
5. **Conclusion:** Since $AB + AC = BC$, points A, B, and C are collinear.
**Final answer:** The points A(1, 1), B(-2, 7), and C(3, -3) are collinear because $AB + AC = BC$.