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Distance Formula

The Distance Formula is a fundamental concept in coordinate geometry that allows us to calculate the distance between two points in a two-dimensional coordinate plane (the x-y plane). It’s derived directly from the Pythagorean theorem and provides a straightforward way to find the length of the straight line segment connecting two points.

Formulae

The Distance Formula is expressed as:

The distance, *d*, between two points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) is given by:

d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2

Examples

Let’s explore how to use the Distance Formula with some examples:

Example-1:

Find the distance between the points A(1, 2) and B(4, 6).

Solution:

  1. Identify the coordinates: (x1,y1)=(1,2) and (x2,y2)=(4,6).
  2. Substitute the values into the formula: d=(41)2+(62)2.
  3. Simplify: d=32+42=9+16=25.
  4. Calculate the final distance: d=5.

Therefore, the distance between points A and B is 5 units.

Example-2:

Find the distance between the points C(-2, 3) and D(1, -1).

Solution:

  1. Identify the coordinates: (x1,y1)=(2,3) and (x2,y2)=(1,1).
  2. Substitute the values into the formula: d=(1(2))2+(13)2.
  3. Simplify: d=(3)2+(4)2=9+16=25.
  4. Calculate the final distance: d=5.

Therefore, the distance between points C and D is 5 units.

Theorem with Proof

Theorem: The Distance Formula is a direct consequence of the Pythagorean theorem.

Proof:

  1. Consider two points, A(x1,y1) and B(x2,y2), on a coordinate plane.
  2. Draw a right triangle with AB as the hypotenuse. The legs of the triangle are parallel to the x and y axes.
  3. The horizontal leg has length |x2x1| and the vertical leg has length |y2y1|.
  4. By the Pythagorean theorem, the square of the hypotenuse (the distance *d* between A and B) is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs: d2=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2.
  5. Taking the square root of both sides, we get the Distance Formula: d=(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2.

Common mistakes by students

Students often make the following mistakes:

  • Incorrectly substituting values: Make sure to correctly identify which x and y values correspond to which points.
  • Arithmetic errors: Be careful with negative signs and order of operations when squaring and subtracting.
  • Forgetting the square root: The final step is always to take the square root of the sum of the squares.

Real Life Application

The Distance Formula has numerous real-life applications, including:

  • Navigation: GPS systems use the distance formula to calculate distances between locations and determine routes.
  • Mapping and Surveying: Surveyors use the distance formula to accurately measure distances on land.
  • Computer Graphics: Calculating distances between objects in 2D or 3D space is essential for rendering realistic images.
  • Game Development: Games frequently use the distance formula for collision detection and other calculations.

Fun Fact

The Distance Formula is essentially a generalization of the Pythagorean theorem to two dimensions. You can extend this concept to three dimensions (and beyond!) to calculate distances in higher-dimensional spaces.

Recommended YouTube Videos for Deeper Understanding

Practice Questions

Q.1 What is the distance between the points A(2, 3) and B(5, 7)?
Check Solution

Ans: A

Using the distance formula, (52)2+(73)2=32+42=9+16=25=5

Q.2 Find the value of k if the distance between the points P(k, 2) and Q(4, 5) is 5 units.
Check Solution

Ans: A

(4k)2+(52)2=5. Squaring both sides: (4k)2+9=25. (4k)2=16. 4k=±4. k=0 or k=8.

Q.3 The vertices of a triangle are A(1, 1), B(4, 5), and C(7, 2). What type of triangle is it?
Check Solution

Ans: C

AB = (41)2+(51)2=9+16=5. BC = (74)2+(25)2=9+9=32. CA = (17)2+(12)2=36+1=37. Since AB2+BC2CA2, AC2+BC2AB2, and AB2+AC2BC2, it is a scalene triangle.

Next Topic: Section Formula (Internal Division)

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