Lesson 11.

The Distance Formula

 Learning Competency

At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able

to derive the distance formula.
 Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to

do the following:

● Accurately derive the distance formula.

● Correctly solve for the distance between two points

using the distance formula.

● Correctly solve word problems involving distance

formula.
One of the practical applications of the Pythagorean Theorem is
to determine the distance between two points in a Cartesian
plane. This is done by comparing their vertical and horizontal
distances.
This is useful in several real-life applications, such as
determining the distance between two locations on a map,
which is used in the navigation apps on your phone.
In this lesson, you will learn how to use the distance formula to
determine the distance between two points.
 Essential Questions

● How is Pythagorean Theorem related to the distance

formula?

● In what other areas of Mathematics can the distance

formula be applied?
Learning Competency
Learning Competency
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
Learning Competency
 Learn about It!

Pythagorean Theorem
This theorem states that in any given right triangle, the square
of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the
squares of the lengths of the other two sides.

In a right triangle , it the measures of the legs are and , and

the measure of the hypotenuse is , it follows that
.
 Learn about It!

Pythagorean Theorem
Example:
To find the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose legs measure
and , we follow these steps.

Let and . Substitute the given to the formula

.
 Learn about It!

Pythagorean Theorem
Example:
 Learn about It!

Pythagorean Theorem
Example:
Thus, the hypotenuse of the given right triangle is .
 Learn about It!

Distance Formula
This formula is used to find the distance between two distinct
points on the Cartesian plane.

Given two points and , the distance between the two points
can be measured as
 Learn about It!

Distance Formula
Example:
To find the distance between points and , we follow these
steps:

Let , , , and . Substitute the given to the distance formula .

 Learn about It!

Distance Formula
Example:
 Learn about It!

Distance Formula
Example:
Hence, the distance between points and is units.
 Try
Let’sit!Practice

Example 1: Find the length of the hypotenuse of the right

triangle in the figure given below.

𝑐=?
𝑎=6

𝑏=10
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 1: Find the length of the hypotenuse of the right

triangle in the figure given below.

Solution:
Substitute the values to the Pythagorean equation.
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 1: Find the length of the hypotenuse of the right

triangle in the figure given below.

Solution:
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 1: Find the length of the hypotenuse of the right

triangle in the figure given below.

Solution:

Therefore, the length of the hypotenuse is units.

 Try
Let’sit!Practice

Example 2: Miguel’s house is mapped on the coordinate grid

with the city hall as the origin. His home is located at point
and his best friend’s home is at point . If the scale used in the
grid is , how far are their homes from each other?
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 2: Miguel’s house is mapped on the coordinate grid with the city hall as the origin.
His home is located at point and his best friend’s home is at point . If the scale used in the
grid is , how far are their homes from each other?

Solution:
From the given, let , , , and .

Substitute these values to the distance formula.

 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 2: Miguel’s house is mapped on the coordinate grid with the city hall as the origin.
His home is located at point and his best friend’s home is at point . If the scale used in the
grid is , how far are their homes from each other?

Solution:
 Solution to Let’s Practice

Example 2: Miguel’s house is mapped on the coordinate grid with the city hall as the origin.
His home is located at point and his best friend’s home is at point . If the scale used in the
grid is , how far are their homes from each other?

Solution:
Therefore, the distance between Miguel’s home and his best
friend’s home is 10 km.
Try It!
Try It!
Try It!
Try It!
 Try It!

Use the distance formula to

solve the following.
1. What is the distance between
the points M (3,-6) and P (-4, 1)?
2. Find the length of the line
segment whose endpoints are
(3,-12) and (-2, 8).
 Try It!

Individual Practice:
1. Find the distance between the points and .

2. Given the points and , find the value of so that the

distance between the two given points is 25 units.
 Try It!

Group Practice: To be done in two to five groups

Two cars departed from Manila at the same time. Car A

traveled km north and km west while Car B traveled km
south and km east. How far are the two cars from one
another?
 Key Points

• The Pythagorean Theorem states that in any given right

triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is
equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the
other two sides
o In a right triangle, the length of the legs are and , and
the hypotenuse is . It follows that .
 Key Points

• The distance formula is used to find the distance

between two distinct points on the Cartesian plane.
o Given two points and , the distance between the two
points can be measured as
.
 Bibliography

Pierce, Rod. “Distance Between 2 Points.” Math Is Fun. Retrieved 6 June 2019 from
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/distance-2-points.html

Stapel, Elizabeth. “The Distance Formula.” Purple Math. Retrieved 17 May 2019 from
http://bit.ly/2JM6gtW