Question

How do I find the distance between two points?

Answer 1

Use distance formula or Pythagorean Theorem

Explanation:

The formula is d=`sqrt((x_1-x_2)^2+(y_1-y_2)^2)`
if point A is (`x_1,y_1`) and point B is (`x_2,y_2`)

You can actually derive this from the Pythagorean Theorem. It's tough to show here, but set up a right triangle, connect Points A and B with a point C containing the right angle (`x_2,y_1`). Then one leg will have length `x_2-x_1` and the other leg will have length `y_2-y_1`. Using Pythagorean Theorem, you can take the sum of the lengths squared, take the square root, and that gives you the formula above.

Example: Points (2, -3) and (-1, 5)

`d=sqrt((2-(-1))^2+(-3-5)^2)`
=`sqrt((3)^2+(-8)^2)`
=`sqrt(9+64)=sqrt(73)`