1. What is the Distance Formula?

The distance formula calculates the straight-line distance between two points in a 2D plane. It is derived from the Pythagorean theorem and is fundamental in geometry, physics, and many applied sciences.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the distance formula:

Where:

• \( (x_1, y_1) \) — Coordinates of the first point
• \( (x_2, y_2) \) — Coordinates of the second point
• \( d \) — Distance between the points

Explanation: The formula calculates the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by the differences in x and y coordinates.

3. Applications of Distance Calculation

Details: Used in navigation, computer graphics, physics, engineering, and anywhere spatial relationships between points need to be determined.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the x and y coordinates for both points. The calculator will compute the straight-line distance between them in the same units as the input coordinates.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does the order of points matter?
A: No, the distance is the same regardless of which point you consider first.

Q2: Can this be used for 3D points?
A: No, this is for 2D only. For 3D points, you would need to add a z-coordinate term.

Q3: What if my coordinates are negative?
A: The formula works with any real numbers - positive, negative, or zero.

Q4: How precise is the calculation?
A: The calculator shows results rounded to 4 decimal places, but uses full precision for the calculation.

Q5: Can I use different units for x and y?
A: No, both coordinates must be in the same units for the distance to be meaningful.