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 applied fields.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the distance formula:

Where:

• \( d \) — Distance between the two points
• \( x_1, y_1 \) — 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.

3. Applications of Distance Calculation

Details: This calculation is used in geometry, physics, computer graphics, GPS navigation, game development, and many engineering applications where measuring spatial relationships is important.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coordinates of both points in any consistent units (meters, feet, pixels, etc.). The result will be in the same units as the input.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this work for 3D coordinates?
A: No, this calculator is for 2D only. For 3D, the formula would be extended to include the z-coordinate.

Q2: What if my points have negative coordinates?
A: The formula works with any real numbers - positive, negative, or zero. The squared terms ensure the distance is always positive.

Q3: How accurate is the calculation?
A: The calculator provides results with 2 decimal places precision, but the actual accuracy depends on your input values.

Q4: Can I use this for geographical coordinates?
A: For small distances on Earth's surface, this works as an approximation. For large distances, you would need to account for Earth's curvature.

Q5: What units should I use?
A: Use any consistent units for all coordinates. The result will be in the same units.