The Distance Between Points

Derive the distance formula for any two points on the coordinate plane by applying the Pythagorean Theorem.

Task 1

Putting It All Together

Answer these open ended questions on your own or with others to form deeper math connections.

Task 2

Can we use the method above to find the distance between two points that are vertical to one another? Is this the easiest method?

Task 3

Can be used for the horizontal distance? Why or why not?

Task 4

In the last step of the calculations, is a positive square root. Why is the negative square root not included as a value for ?