The distance formula

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The Distance Formula is used to help you determine the distance between two points in the coordinate plane.

|x_1-x_2|^2 + |y_1-y_2|^2 = C^2 \,\!


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Help

Im confused how to get started with these complex problems assistance would b much appreciated??!?? I don't need any help with this, but should we stop at the square root or get the exact anwser?

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Answers

When you are given two points, let's say (4,6) and (1, 3), you can find the difference between the two points without making a graph.

First find the difference between the x coordinates: 4-1=3 Next find the difference between the y coordinates: 6-3=3

Once you have found the difference between the x and y coordinates, all you have to do is use the pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2=c^2 \,\!.

It does not matter which number you use for a and b. 

                      3^2+3^2=c^2 \,\!
                      9+9=c^2 \,\!
                      18=c^2 \,\!
  • remember, square root undoes squaring* 
   **your answer is the \sqrt{18}   **

Props

Thnks that helped alot!!!


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Video on how to accomplish distance findings

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