Finding the Distance Between Points

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 128 views

Introduction

In mathematics, graphing ordered pairs and finding the distance between points are essential skills to master. Ordered pairs are a fundamental concept in coordinate geometry, and understanding how to graph them is crucial for solving various mathematical problems. In this article, we will explore how to graph the ordered pairs (1, 5) and (3, 1) and then find the distance between these points.

Graphing Ordered Pairs

To graph an ordered pair, we need to understand the concept of the coordinate plane. The coordinate plane is a two-dimensional plane that consists of two axes: the x-axis and the y-axis. The x-axis represents the horizontal direction, while the y-axis represents the vertical direction.

When graphing an ordered pair, we need to consider the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate. The x-coordinate represents the horizontal position of the point, while the y-coordinate represents the vertical position of the point.

Graphing the Ordered Pair (1, 5)

To graph the ordered pair (1, 5), we need to locate the point on the coordinate plane that has an x-coordinate of 1 and a y-coordinate of 5.

The x-coordinate is 1, which means we need to move 1 unit to the right from the origin (0, 0).
The y-coordinate is 5, which means we need to move 5 units up from the x-axis.

By following these steps, we can locate the point (1, 5) on the coordinate plane.

Graphing the Ordered Pair (3, 1)

To graph the ordered pair (3, 1), we need to locate the point on the coordinate plane that has an x-coordinate of 3 and a y-coordinate of 1.

The x-coordinate is 3, which means we need to move 3 units to the right from the origin (0, 0).
The y-coordinate is 1, which means we need to move 1 unit down from the x-axis.

By following these steps, we can locate the point (3, 1) on the coordinate plane.

Finding the Distance Between Points

Now that we have graphed the ordered pairs (1, 5) and (3, 1), we need to find the distance between these points. The distance between two points can be calculated using the distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1) is the first point, and (x2, y2) is the second point.

Calculating the Distance

To calculate the distance between the points (1, 5) and (3, 1), we need to substitute the values into the distance formula:

d = √((3 - 1)² + (1 - 5)²) d = √((2)² + (-4)²) d = √(4 + 16) d = √20 d ≈ 4.5

Therefore, the distance between the points (1, 5) and (3, 1) is approximately 4.5 units.

Conclusion

In conclusion, graphing ordered pairs and finding the distance between points are essential skills in mathematics. By understanding how to graph ordered pairs and using the distance formula, we can solve various mathematical problems. In this article, we graphed the ordered pairs (1, 5) and (3, 1) and found the distance between these points, which is approximately 4.5 units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an ordered pair?

A: An ordered pair is a pair of numbers that represents a point on the coordinate plane. It consists of an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate.

Q: How do I graph an ordered pair?

A: To graph an ordered pair, you need to locate the point on the coordinate plane that has the given x-coordinate and y-coordinate.

Q: What is the distance formula?

A: The distance formula is a formula used to calculate the distance between two points on the coordinate plane. It is given by:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²)

Q: How do I calculate the distance between two points?

A: To calculate the distance between two points, you need to substitute the values into the distance formula and simplify the expression.

Q: What is the unit of measurement for distance?

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to graph ordered pairs and find the distance between points. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to graphing ordered pairs and finding distance.

Q&A

Q: What is the difference between an ordered pair and a coordinate?

A: An ordered pair is a pair of numbers that represents a point on the coordinate plane. A coordinate is a single number that represents a point on the coordinate plane. For example, the ordered pair (3, 4) represents a point on the coordinate plane, while the coordinate 3 represents the x-coordinate of that point.

Q: How do I graph a point on the coordinate plane?

A: To graph a point on the coordinate plane, you need to locate the point that has the given x-coordinate and y-coordinate. You can do this by moving the correct number of units to the right or left from the origin (0, 0) and then moving the correct number of units up or down from the x-axis.

Q: What is the origin of the coordinate plane?

A: The origin of the coordinate plane is the point (0, 0). It is the point where the x-axis and y-axis intersect.

Q: How do I find the distance between two points on the coordinate plane?

A: To find the distance between two points on the coordinate plane, you can use the distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1) is the first point, and (x2, y2) is the second point.

Q: What is the unit of measurement for distance?

A: The unit of measurement for distance is typically measured in units, such as inches, feet, or meters.

Q: How do I round a distance to the nearest tenth?

A: To round a distance to the nearest tenth, you need to look at the hundredth place digit. If it is 5 or greater, you round up. If it is less than 5, you round down.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points in three dimensions?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points in three dimensions. However, you need to use the three-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)² + (z2 - z1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1, z1) is the first point, and (x2, y2, z2) is the second point.

Q: How do I graph a line on the coordinate plane?

A: To graph a line on the coordinate plane, you need to find two points on the line and then draw a line through those points. You can also use the slope-intercept form of a line to graph the line.

Q: What is the slope-intercept form of a line?

A: The slope-intercept form of a line is given by:

y = mx + b

where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept.

Q: How do I find the slope of a line?

A: To find the slope of a line, you need to use the formula:

m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

where m is the slope of the line, (x1, y1) is the first point, and (x2, y2) is the second point.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a circle?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a circle. However, you need to use the two-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1) is the first point, and (x2, y2) is the second point.

Q: How do I find the circumference of a circle?

A: To find the circumference of a circle, you need to use the formula:

C = 2πr

where C is the circumference of the circle and r is the radius of the circle.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a sphere?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a sphere. However, you need to use the three-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)² + (z2 - z1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1, z1) is the first point, and (x2, y2, z2) is the second point.

Q: How do I find the surface area of a sphere?

A: To find the surface area of a sphere, you need to use the formula:

A = 4πr²

where A is the surface area of the sphere and r is the radius of the sphere.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a cylinder?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a cylinder. However, you need to use the three-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)² + (z2 - z1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1, z1) is the first point, and (x2, y2, z2) is the second point.

Q: How do I find the volume of a cylinder?

A: To find the volume of a cylinder, you need to use the formula:

V = πr²h

where V is the volume of the cylinder, r is the radius of the cylinder, and h is the height of the cylinder.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a cone?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a cone. However, you need to use the three-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)² + (z2 - z1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1, z1) is the first point, and (x2, y2, z2) is the second point.

Q: How do I find the volume of a cone?

A: To find the volume of a cone, you need to use the formula:

V = (1/3)πr²h

where V is the volume of the cone, r is the radius of the cone, and h is the height of the cone.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a torus?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a torus. However, you need to use the three-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)² + (z2 - z1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1, z1) is the first point, and (x2, y2, z2) is the second point.

Q: How do I find the surface area of a torus?

A: To find the surface area of a torus, you need to use the formula:

A = 4π²Rr

where A is the surface area of the torus, R is the major radius of the torus, and r is the minor radius of the torus.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a sphere with a hole?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a sphere with a hole. However, you need to use the three-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)² + (z2 - z1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1, z1) is the first point, and (x2, y2, z2) is the second point.

Q: How do I find the surface area of a sphere with a hole?

A: To find the surface area of a sphere with a hole, you need to use the formula:

A = 4πR² - 2πr²

where A is the surface area of the sphere with a hole, R is the radius of the sphere, and r is the radius of the hole.

Q: Can I use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a cylinder with a hole?

A: Yes, you can use the distance formula to find the distance between two points on a cylinder with a hole. However, you need to use the three-dimensional distance formula:

d = √((x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)² + (z2 - z1)²)

where d is the distance between the points, (x1, y1, z1) is the first point, and (x2, y2, z2) is the second point.