Difference between revisions of "Distance formula"

 
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The '''distance formula''' is a direct application of the [[Pythagorean Theorem]] in the setting of a [[Cartesian coordinate system]].  In the two-dimensional case, it says that the distance between two [[point]]s <math>P_1 = (x_1, y_1)</math> and <math>P_2 = (x_2, y_2)</math> is given by <math>d = \sqrt{(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2}</math>.
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The '''distance formula''' is a direct application of the [[Pythagorean Theorem]] in the setting of a [[Cartesian coordinate system]].  In the two-dimensional case, it says that the distance between two [[point]]s <math>P_1 = (x_1, y_1)</math> and <math>P_2 = (x_2, y_2)</math> is given by <math>d = \sqrt{(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2}</math>. In the <math>n</math>-dimensional case, the distance between <math>(a_1,a_2,...,a_n)</math> and <math>(b_1,b_2,...,b_n)</math> is <math>\sqrt{(a_1-b_1)^2+(a_2-b_2)^2+\cdots+(a_n-b_n)^2}</math>
  
  
 
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Revision as of 23:07, 16 December 2006

The distance formula is a direct application of the Pythagorean Theorem in the setting of a Cartesian coordinate system. In the two-dimensional case, it says that the distance between two points $P_1 = (x_1, y_1)$ and $P_2 = (x_2, y_2)$ is given by $d = \sqrt{(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2}$. In the $n$-dimensional case, the distance between $(a_1,a_2,...,a_n)$ and $(b_1,b_2,...,b_n)$ is $\sqrt{(a_1-b_1)^2+(a_2-b_2)^2+\cdots+(a_n-b_n)^2}$


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