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, 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. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: Distance calculations are essential in navigation, computer graphics, physics, engineering, and many other fields where spatial relationships matter.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coordinates of two points in the plane. The calculator will compute the straight-line distance between them. All values must be valid numbers.

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 or second.

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

Q3: What units does the calculator use?
A: The result is in the same units as the input coordinates. If you input meters, the distance will be in meters.

Q4: How accurate is the calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise, though displayed with 4 decimal places for readability.

Q5: Can I use negative coordinates?
A: Yes, the formula works with any real number coordinates, including negatives.