1. What is the Distance Formula?

The distance formula calculates the straight-line distance between two points in a 2D plane. It's derived from the Pythagorean theorem and is fundamental in geometry and many practical applications.

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

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

3. Applications of Line Segment Length

Details: Calculating distances between points is essential in geometry, physics, computer graphics, navigation systems, and many engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coordinates of two points in any consistent units (meters, feet, etc.). The calculator will output the distance in the same units.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does the order of points matter in the calculation?
A: No, the distance is the same regardless of which point you consider first because the differences are squared.

Q2: Can this be used for 3D coordinates?
A: This calculator is for 2D only. For 3D, you would add a z-coordinate term under the square root.

Q3: What if my points have negative coordinates?
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 performs calculations with higher precision internally.

Q5: Can I use this for geographic coordinates?
A: For small distances on Earth's surface, this works as an approximation. For large distances, you need the haversine formula that accounts for Earth's curvature.