How do use the pythagorean theorem to find the distance between two points like the points (1,3) and (4,3)?

Question

26710 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2016-03-02T14:47:51

The distance between the points is 3

Tony B

Let the distance between points be #d# then

Let #(x_1,y_1) -> (1,3)#
Let #(x_2,y_2)->(4,3)#

Then by Pythagoras

#d^2 =(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2#

#d^2=(4-1)^2+(3-3)^2#

Notice that #y_1=y_2# which means that the line between the points is parallel to the x-axis as there is no change in height (y-axis).

#color(brown)("However, the Pythagoras theorem will still work")#

#d^2=3^2+0^2#

#sqrt(d^2)=sqrt(3^2)#

#d=3#