Cursor proximity testing

hi, i was wondering if anyone could help me test the proximity of the cursor to elements on the stage so that the returned figure can be used as a variable. for example the closer you get to something the larger it becomes.
cheers.

you can always get the distance between any2 points with the pythagorean theorum

Distance = squareRoot((x1-x2)^2 +(y1-y2)^2)

then all you have to do is manipulate what you do with that data

cheers, i take it in my case i would replace x1 with _xmouse and x2 with object._x?

yup