How do I find the distance between two points?

1 Answer
Jul 30, 2015

Use distance formula or Pythagorean Theorem

Explanation:

The formula is d=(x1x2)2+(y1y2)2
if point A is (x1,y1) and point B is (x2,y2)

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 (x2,y1). Then one leg will have length x2x1 and the other leg will have length y2y1. 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=(2(1))2+(35)2
=(3)2+(8)2
=9+64=73