AlgebraLab

Algebra II Recipe: Finding the Distance Between Two Points

By G Redden

A. Facts
  1. The distance formula is used to find the distance between any two points on the graph.
  2. The distance formula is
  3. The distance formula comes from applying the Pythagorean Theorem to a right triangle ABC to find the distance (d) between A (x1, y1) and B (x2, y2).
    (AB)2 = (AC)2 + (BC)2
    d2 = (x2 - x1)2 + (y2 - y1)2

B. Applying the Distance Formula
  1. Label the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2).
  2. Substitute the values into the formula.
  3. Simplify the expression.
  4. Round to the nearest 100th when necessary.
1.
Find the distance between (-2,5) and (3,-1).