1 of 11

THE DISTANCE FORMULA

Distance in the Coordinate Plane

2 of 11

Standard:

8.G.B.8: Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between two points in a coordinate system.

3 of 11

Objectives

  • Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between two points in a coordinate system.

4 of 11

Essential Question for Topic

Deductive reasoning is a process of reasoning logically from given facts to a conclusion. If you do not have measuring tools, how can you deduce what the side lengths are of a right triangle? How can you deduce that a triangle is right?

5 of 11

DISTANCE FORMULA

THE DISTANCE FORMULA

Given the two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the distance between these points is given by the formula:

(X1 –X2)2 + (Y1-Y2)2

Recall: You pick which point is first, then second.

6 of 11

The diagram below shows the relationship between the Distance Formula and the coordinates of two endpoints of a line segment.

(X1 –X2)2 + (Y1-Y2)2

A

L

E

R

T

!

7 of 11

EXAMPLE: Finding the length of a segment, given its endpoints

(X1 –X2)2 + (Y1-Y2)2

8 of 11

Let’s Practice:

What is the distance between the points (5, 6) and (– 12, 40) ?

9 of 11

Let’s Practice:

Find the lengths of the segments. Tell whether any of the segments have the same length. Use the Distance Formula.

A (-1,1)

C (3,2)

AC = ___

A (-1,1)

D (2,-1)

AD = __

A (-1,1)

B (4,3)

AB = ___

AB = √13; AC = √17; AD = √13

10 of 11

Now, it’s your turn…..

What is the distance between (–2, 7) and (4, 6)?

What is your answer? _________

What is the distance between (–1, 1) and (4, 3)?

What is your answer? _________

ALGEBRA CHALLENGE: If the distance from (x, 3) to

(4, 7) is √41 , what is the value of x?

What is your answer? _________

Check your answers HERE.

6.08

√13

9

11 of 11

Final Checks for Understanding

  • Find the distance between the two points.

C (0,0)

D (5,2)

2. Use the Distance Formula to determine if JK = KL.

J(3,-5); K(-1,2) ; L (-5,-5)

_________________________________

J (3,-5)

K (1,2)

JK=

K (1,2)

L (-5,-5)

KL=