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:

• \( d \) — Distance between points
• \( x_1, y_1 \) — Coordinates of first point
• \( x_2, y_2 \) — Coordinates of 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: Used in geometry, physics, computer graphics, navigation systems, game development, and anywhere spatial relationships between points are important.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter coordinates for both points. The calculator accepts any real numbers (positive or negative). Results are rounded to 4 decimal places.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does the order of points matter?
A: No, the distance is the same whether calculated from (x₁,y₁) to (x₂,y₂) or vice versa.

Q2: Can this be used for 3D points?
A: No, this is for 2D only. For 3D, the formula extends to include z-coordinates.

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

Q4: How accurate is the calculation?
A: The calculator provides results with 4 decimal places of precision.

Q5: Can I use negative coordinates?
A: Yes, the formula works with any real numbers, positive or negative.