Distance Formula

• The distance formula is derived by using the Pythagorean theorem.

• Notice in the figure below that the distance between the points (x,y) and (a,b) is
the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
• The difference y-b is the measure of the height of the triangle, and the difference
x-a is the length of base of the triangle.
• Applying the Pythagorean theorem yields

• Taking the square root of both sides this equation yields

Example:1

In the figure below, the circle is centered at the origin and passes through point P.
Which of the following points does it also pass through?

A) (3,3)
B)
C) (2,6)
D)
E) (-3,4)
Solution:
Since the circle is centered at the origin and passes through the point (0,-3), the radius
of the circle is 3.Now, if any other point is on the circle, the distance from that point to
the center of the circle (the radius) must also be 3. Look at choice (B).
Using the distance formula to calculate the distance between
and (0,0) (the origin yields)

d=

Hence, is on the circle, and the answer is (B)

Example: 2
Find the distance between (-2, 3) and (8, -1).
a) d = 2(SQRT(29))
b) d = -2(SQRT(29))
c) d = 2(SQRT(27))
d) d =- 2(SQRT(27))
Solution: Plug any given information into the distance equation.
d = SQRT[(8 - (-2))2 + (-1 - 3)2]
Simplify.
d = SQRT[102 + (-4)2]
d = SQRT(100 + 16)
d = 2(SQRT(29))
 Practice Questions

1) In the figure, which of the following points lies within the circle?
(A) (3.5, 9.5)
(B) (-7, 7)
(C) (-10, 1)
(D) (0, 11)
(E) (5.5, 8.5)
2) In the figure below, which of the following points is three times as far from P as from

Q?
(A) (0, 3)
(B) (1, 1)
(C) (4, 5)
(D) (2, 3)
(E) (4, 1)
3) If the square in the figure to the right is rotated clockwise about the origin until vertex
V is on the

negative y-axis, then the new y-coordinate of V is

A) -2
B)
C) -4
D)
E) -8

4) Find the distance between the points (5, 3) and (1, 4).)

A) 17

B) -17

C) 18

D) √17

5) Use the Distance Formula to find the distance between the points with coordinates
(−3, 4) and (5, 2).
A) 17
B) 2(sqrt(17))
C) 24
D) -2(sqrt(17))

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