Distance Formula

Definition of Distance Formula

The formula
, which is used to find the
distance between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), is called the
Distance Formula.

Examples of Distance Formula

The distance between the points (1, 3) and (2, 5) is
Solved Example on Distance Formula
What is the distance between the points A (4, 6) and B (- 2, - 2)?
Choices:
A.10
B.6
C.8
D.4
CorrectAnswer:A
Solution:
Step1: (x1, y1)and(x2, y2) =(-2,-2)
Step 2: Distance between the two points can be found using the distance
formula
Step 3: So, AB =

.
= 10 units.

Distance Formula

Slope Formula

Midpoint Formula

Coordinate Proofs
The coordinate proof is a proof of a geometric theorem which uses "generalized" points on the
Cartesian Plane to make an argument.
The method usually involves assigning variables to the coordinates of one or more points, and
then using these variables in the midpoint or distance formulas.
For example, the following is a coordinate proof of the Triangle Midsegment Theorem, which
states that the segment connecting the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third
side and exactly half the length.
Without loss of generality, we can assume that one side of the triangle lies on the x-axis with one
vertex at (0, 0) and the other vertex at (a, 0).
Let the third vertex have the coordinates (b, c). We can assume without loss of generality that
this third vertex lies in the first quadrant. (If it doesn't, you can just reflect the triangle over the xand/or y-axis until it does.)

To Prove:

is parallel to

and

Proof:
Using the midpoint formula, the coordinates of the midpoints X and Y are

First note that the slope is 0, since

So,

is parallel to

Now, compare the lengths of the two segments.

So,

This concludes the proof.

COORDINATE PROOF
When developing a coordinate geometry proof:
1. draw and label the graph
2. state the formulas you will be using
3. show ALL work (if you are using your graphing
calculator, be sure to show your screen displays as part of your
work.)

4. have a concluding sentence stating

what you have proven and why it is true.

Question #1

Prove that quadrilateral A(1,2), B(2,5), C(5,7) and D(4,4) is a parallelogramby using
slopes.

Slope formula:

slope of

slope of

slope of

slope of

Parallel lines have equal slopes.

ABCD is a parallelogram because it has
two sets of parallel sides.
QED.

Question #2

Prove that A(1,1), B(4,4), C(6,2) are the vertices of a right triangle.
Slope formula:

slope of

slope of

Perpendicular lines have negative

reciprocal slopes.
Perpendicular lines meet to form right
angles. So,
is a right angle.
is a right triangle since it

contains a right angle.

QED.

Question #3

Prove that quadrilateral A(1,-2), B(13,4),

C(6,8) and D(-2,4) is a trapezoid, but is NOT an isosceles trapezoid.

Question #4

Prove that A(-2,2), B(1,4), C(2,8) and D(-1,6) is a parallelogramusing midpoints.

Slope formula:
Midpoint Formula
slope of

slope of
midpoint of

slope of

slope of
midpoint of

Question #5
Parallel lines have equal slopes.

Prove that A(-3,2), B(-2,6), C(2,7) and D(1,3) is a rhombus.

A segment bisector intersects a

ABCD is a trapezoid because it has only
segment Formula
at its midpoint. Since each
Distance
one set of parallel sides.
diagonal has the same midpoint,
they bisect each other.
ABCD is a parallelogram because the diagonals bisect each other.
Distance Formula:

ABCD
is not
Question
#6 an isosceles trapezoid because the legs are not of equal length.
AB = CD = BC = AD making the opposite
sides congruent as well as all sides
Prove that A(4,-1), B(5,6), C(1,3) is an isosceles
right triangle.
congruent.
ABCD is a parallelogram because its
opposite sides are congruent.
ABCD is a rhombus because it is a
parallelogram with all sides congruent.

Distance Formula

is isosceles because it has two congruent

sides.

This is an isosceles right triangle because

it is both an isosceles triangle and a right
triangle.

is a right triangle because its sides satisfy the

Pythagorean theorem.

Question #7
Guinevere and Lancelot see a drawing of quadrilateral ABCD, A(2,2), B(5,-2), C(9,1)
and D(6,5).
Guinevere says the figure is a rhombus, but not a square. Lancelot says the figure is a square.
Write a proof to show who is making the correct observation.

Distance Formula

ABCD is a parallelogram because it has two sets

of opposite sides congruent.
ABCD is a rhombus because it is a parallelogram
with 4 congruent sides.

Slope Formula

slope of

slope of

So,

since the slopes are negative

reciprocals.

ABCD is a square because it is a parallelogram with a right angle and all sides are congruent.
Lancelot is correct!
Midpoint

Definition Of Midpoint

Midpoint of a line segment is the point that is halfway between the endpoints of the line
segment.

More About Midpoint

A line segment has only one midpoint.
If AB is a line segment and P is the midpoint, then AP = BP =
.
In two-dimensional coordinate plane, the midpoint of a line with
coordinates of its endpoints as (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given
by

Examples Of Midpoint

In the above figure, length of

is 15 cm and distance of C from
both the endpoints A andB is 7.5 cm. So, C is the midpoint of
Solved Example on Midpoint

is a line segment with end points A (- 2, - 4) and B (4, - 4). Find the
coordinates of the midpoint of
.
Ques:

Choices:

A. (1, - 4)
B. (- 1, 4)
C. (1, 4)
D. (- 1, - 4)
Correct Answer: A
Solution:

Step 1: The end points are A (- 2, - 4) and B (4, - 4).

Step 2: Let the mid point be C (x, y).
Step 3: The coordinates of C are (- 2 + 42, - 4 - 42). [Use mid-point
formula.]
Step 4: So, the coordinates of the midpoint are (1, - 4).

Prove that ABCD i ss a rectangle