Formula

Distance Formula

The Distance Formula calculates the distance between any two points (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) in the coordinate plane:d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}This formula is derived directly from the Pythagorean Theorem. By drawing a horizontal segment of length x2x1|x_2 - x_1| and a vertical segment of length y2y1|y_2 - y_1| between the two points, a right triangle is formed whose hypotenuse is the straight-line distance between the points. Applying a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2 and solving for cc yields the Distance Formula.

0

1

Updated 2026-05-26

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.11 Conics - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Related
Learn After