Geometry · Coordinate Geometry

Distance Formula

HSG-GPE.B.7

Definition

d = √((x2 − x1)2 + (y2 − y1)2), the distance between two points.

Examples

  • From (0,0) to (3,4): d = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5.
  • From (1,1) to (4,5): d = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5.

Key rule

The distance formula comes directly from the Pythagorean theorem.

Memory hook

It's the Pythagorean theorem, applied to two coordinate points.