STRAND: CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY FORM: 6Commerce

SUB-STRAND: DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO POINTS

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME: By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 Calculate the distance between any two points given or shown on the Cartesian
plane; and
 Find the length of a line segment.

Key Concept: The main idea you will learn in this lesson is that the distance formula is given
by 𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 where (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) are any two points in the
Cartesian plane or the endpoints of a line segment.

The Distance between Two Points

The formula, 𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2, will enable us to find the distance between
any two points on a line.

For instance, we will be able to find the distance between points 𝑃 and 𝑄 on the line 𝑚 shown below.

̅̅̅̅.
We can also think of the distance between two points as the length of the segment 𝑃𝑄

To calculate the distance between points 𝑃 and 𝑄, we will use the coordinates of the two
points. We will write these as 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ).

The diagram below shows two points 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ).

𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ).

𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 )

Note: When labelling two points using (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ) 𝒂𝒏𝒅 (𝒙𝟐 , 𝒚𝟐 ) it does not make any
difference which point you pick to be (𝒙𝟏 , 𝒚𝟏 ) and which you pick to be (𝒙𝟐 , 𝒚𝟐 ).
Now let’s calculate the distance between the two points. We will add a third point R
(𝑥2 , 𝑦1 )to the diagram to form a right angled triangle 𝑃𝑄𝑅. Then we can use the
Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of side 𝑃𝑄.

𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ).

𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) R(𝑥2 , 𝑦1 )

To find the length of sides PR and QR of the triangle:

PR = (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ) and QR = (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )

APPLYING PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM to triangle PQR we have

(𝑃𝑄)2 = (𝑃𝑅)2 + (𝑄𝑅)2

To find the distance between the two points P(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and Q(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ): USE 𝑑 =
√(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2

Example 1: Calculate the distance between the points (-2, -3) and (3, 4).

Solution to example 1:

Step 1: Label the given points using (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ). Thus (−2
⏟ , −3
⏟ )and ( ⏟
3,⏟
4)
𝑥1 𝑦1 𝑥2 𝑦2

Step 2: Substitute values into a correct distance formula 𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2

i.e. 𝑑 = √(3 − −2)2 + (4 − −3)2

= √(5)2 + (7)2
= √25 + 49
= √74 = 8.6 unit (1dp)

Example 2: Find the distance between the points (6,4) and (2, 1).

 (⏟
6,⏟
4 )and ( ⏟
2,⏟
1)
𝑥1 𝑦1 𝑥2 𝑦2

 𝑑 = √(2 − 6)2 + (1 − 4)2

= √(−4)2 + (−3)2
= √16 + 9
= √25 = 5 unit
Example 3: Ship A is 10km South and 8km West of Abaiang. Ship B is 4km north and 5km
East of the same island. What is the distance between the two ships?

Solution

Step 1: Draw a North Direction to show whether those point positioned on a positive or
negative on a Cartesian plane.

North Step 2: Label the coordinate using (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ).

Ship B Ship A: (−8

⏟ , −10
⏟)
𝑥1 𝑦1

West EAST Ship B: ( ⏟

𝟓,⏟
𝟒)
𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐

Ship A Step 3: Substitute values into a correct formula

South 𝑑 = √(5 − −8)2 + (4 − −10)2

= √(13)2 + (14)2
= √169 + 196
= √365 =19.1km (1dp)

Practice: Calculate the distance between each of the given sets of points.

1. A(2, 3) and B(5,1)

2. D(-1, 3) and E(2, -5)
3. T(0, -5) and U(4, 0)
4. P(-3, -1) and Q(-1, -6)
5. LC Te Mauri is 12km South and 9km west of Nikunau. LC Aratobwa is 5km north and 7km
East of the same island. What is the distance between the two ships?
 Additional application in which the distance formula could be used:

Question 1: PQ is the diameter of a circle where P(-1, 3) and Q(6, -3). Find the radius of the
circle. (HINT: Remember that Radius is half of diameter, PQ)

Solution:

First find the diameter, or distance, of PQ.

𝑷(−𝟏
⏟,⏟𝟑 ) 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸(𝟔
⏟ , −𝟑
⏟ ).
𝒙𝟏 𝒚𝟏 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐

2
𝑷𝑸 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )
= √(6 − −1)2 + (−3 − 3)2
= √(7)2 + (−6)2
= √49 + 36
√85
𝑃𝑄 = √85 Thus Radius is
2

Question 2: The point A(2,6), B(5,7), C(8, -2) lie on a circle. Show that ABC is a right angled
triangle.

Hint: To show that ABC is a right angled triangle, you need to calculate the distance of
each side such as Distance of AB, Distance of BC and the Distance of AC. Then substitute
into a Pythagorean Theorem to verify that (𝑨𝑪)𝟐 = (𝑨𝑩)𝟐 + (𝑩𝑪)𝟐.

Solution:

𝑨(𝟐
⏟,⏟
𝟔 ), 𝑩(𝟓
⏟,⏟
𝟕) 𝑩(𝟓
⏟,⏟
𝟕 ), 𝑪(𝟖
⏟ , −𝟐)
𝒚𝟐
𝒙𝟏 𝒚𝟏 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟏 𝒚𝟏 𝒙𝟐

i) Distance of AB = √(5 − 2)2 + (7 − 6)2 ii) Distance of BC = √(8 − 5)2 + (−2 − 7)2
= √(3)2 + (1)2 = √(3)2 + (−9)2
=√9 + 1 = √9 + 81
= √10 = √90

𝑨(𝟐
⏟,⏟
𝟔 ), 𝑪(𝟖
⏟ , −𝟐)
𝒚𝟐
𝒙𝟏 𝒚𝟏 𝒙𝟐
iii)Distance of AC = √(8 − 2)2 + (−2 − 6)2 ∴ (𝐴𝐶)2 = (𝐴𝐵)2 + (𝐵𝐶)2
2 2
= √(6)2 + (−8)2 (10)2 = (√10) + (√90)
= √36 + 64 100 = 10 + 90
= √100 = 10 100 = 100
This proves that ABC is a right angled triangle
STRAND: CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY FORM: 6 COMMERCE

SUB-STRAND: The Midpoint of a Line Segment

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME: By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 Calculate the midpoint of a line segment

Key Concept: The main idea you will learn in this lesson is that the midpoint formula is given
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 +𝑦2
by 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 = ( , ) where (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) are the endpoints of a line
2 2
segment.

The Midpoint of a Line Segment:

 The midpoint is a point that divides the line segment into two equal pieces.

The above diagram shows that T is the midpoint of the line segment ̅̅̅̅
𝑃𝑄 .
 Line segment is the part of a line that lies between two points.

Examples:
Find the midpoint of the line segment between each of the given pairs of points,

a) P(2,3) and Q(6, 7).

Solution:
Step 1: Label the points ( ⏟
2,⏟
3 )and ( ⏟
6,⏟
7)
𝑥1 𝑦1 𝑥2 𝑦2
Step 2: Write the correct formula and then substitute values and calculate
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 +𝑦2
𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 = ( , )
2 2
2+ 6 3+7
=( , )
2 2
8 10
=( , )
2 2
𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 = (4, 5)

b) R(-1, -8) and S(6, -2)

Step 1: Label the points (−1
⏟ , −8)and ( ⏟
6 , −2
⏟)
𝑦1
𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑦2
𝑥1 + 𝑥2 𝑦1 +𝑦2
Step 2: 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 = ( , )
2 2
−1+ 6 −8−2
=( 2
, 2 )
5 −10
= (2 , 2 )
𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 = (2.5, −5)
Practice:
1. Find the midpoint of the line segment between each of the following pairs of points.
a. (2,5) and (7,3)
b. (5, -4) and (-3, 7)
c. (-5, -2) and (-3, -1)
d. (-1, 7) and (6, -2)

2. B is the midpoint of line segment AC. What are the coordinates of point C?
C(x,y)

B(2,4)

A (-3, 2)
STRAND: CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY FORM: 6COMMERCE

SUB-STRAND: The Gradient of a Line

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME: By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 Calculate the gradient of any straight line; and

 Find the angle a line makes with the x-axis

Key Concept: The main idea you will learn in this lesson are:

𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑦2 − 𝑦1
 the gradient of a line given by 𝑚 = = = tan 𝜃 where
ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑥2 − 𝑥1

(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) are the two points on the line and 𝜃 is the angle the line
makes with the positive x-axis;
 a vertical line has no gradient, a horizontal line has zero gradient and other lines can
have a positive or negative gradient.

The Gradient of a Line

Gradient or slope of a line is a measure of its steepness.

Examples:

Find the gradient of each of the lines below.

a. The line through points A(1, 2) and B(3, 5).

Step 1: Label the points ( ⏟
1,⏟
2 )and ( ⏟
3,⏟
5)
𝑥1 𝑦1 𝑥2 𝑦2
Step 2: write the formula, substitute values and then solve
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 5−2
𝑚= =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 3 − 1
3
𝑚=+
2

b. The line through the points D(-2, 5) and E (3, -1)

Step 1: Label the points (−2
⏟ , 5 )and ( ⏟
3 , −1)
𝑦1 𝑦2
𝑥1 𝑥2
Step 2: write the formula, substitute values and then solve
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 −1 − 5
𝑚= =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 3 − −2
−6
𝑚=
5
 c. The line through the points (-3, 4) and (5, 4)
Step 1: Label the points (−3
⏟ , 4 )and ( ⏟
5 , 4)
𝑦1 𝑦2
𝑥1 𝑥2
Step 2: write the formula, substitute values and then solve
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 4−4
𝑚= =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 5 − −3
0
𝑚= =0
8

d. The line through the points (-1, 5) and (-1, -2)

Step 1: Label the points (−1⏟ , 5 )and (−1⏟ , −2)
𝑦1 𝑦2
𝑥1 𝑥2
Step 2: Write the formula, substitute values and then solve
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 −2 − 5
𝑚= =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 −1 − −1
−7
𝑚= 0
= ∅ OR NO GRADIENT

Find the gradient using 𝑚 = tan 𝜃

Find the gradient of each of the following lines.

a)

40 𝑚 = tan 𝜃 = tan 40 = 0.84

b)

120 𝑚 = tan 𝜃 = tan 120 = −1.73

c) Note that the angle given in the diagram is the angle the line

70 makes with the negative x-axis but in order to use the

formula we need the angle the line makes with the positive
x-axis. We can get the angle we need by subtracting 70 by
180.

110 𝑚 = tan 𝜃 = tan 110 = −2.75

d. Find the size of the angle marked 𝜶 in the diagram below.

2 𝜶

-3

Solution:
3
m =+2
tan 𝜃 = 𝑚
3
tan 𝜃 = + 2 (to make 𝜃 the subject then take the inverse of tan)
3
𝜃 = tan −1
2
𝜃 = 56.3°

PRACTICE:
1) Find the gradient of each of the following lines.
a. The line through the points A(-6, -2) and B(-6, 4)
b. The line through the points C(3, 5) and D(3, 4)
c. The line through the points E(-5, -2) and F(3, 2)
d. The line through the points G(-5, 4) and H(3,-3)
e. g.

4 3

-3 5

f. h.

1370
240

2) Find the size of the angle marked 𝜶 in the diagram below

5 𝜶