The Distance Formula

Code: M10GE-IIg- 1
M10GE-IIg-2
At the end of the module the students are expected to:

Derives the distance formula

Applies the distance formula to prove some geometric properties

This module is about the Distance Formula. In this module you will learn how to find distance
from two distinct points on a Cartesian Coordinate Plane. Moreover, we will discover that the
distance formula is one of the oldest form of mathematical formula that have been device by
Mathematicians since the time of Pythagoras. We

Early Mathematics and the History of Distance Formula

Mensuration is one of the main concern of early mathematics like finding the area, circumference
of a circle and finding the distance of objects.
One of the greatest breakthrough of mensuration in Mathematics is the discovery of Pythagorean
Theorem. The Theorem discovers the way on how to measure the sides of a right triangle. The
Pythagorean Theorem states that The Sum of the Squares of the sides is equal to the square of
the hypotenuse. The theorem is the basis of the development of the distance formula through
the formulation of the Cartesian Coordinate Plane.

Review on the Pythagorean Theorem

Formula of Pythagorean Theorem - c2 = a2 + b2

such that c is the hypotenuse while a and b are the legs of a triangle.
If a = 4cm, b = 3cm then c=?
Applying the formula

c2 = a2 + b2
c 2 = 42 + 32

c2 = 16+9
c2 = 25
c=

25

c= 5, since we are looking for a length then the answer is

5cm

PRETEST

Find the distance in each pair of points on the Cartesian Coordinate Plane
1)

2)

4
)
1. How did you solve the problem
above?

3. Are there any similar Mathematical

devices use to solve the problem
above?

2. What previous Math knowledge

have helped you solved the
problem?
4) What are the difficult part of the test?

The Cartesian Coordinate Plane and the Pythagorean Theorem

Process Questions:

1. What is the coordinates of point A?

2. What is the coordinate of point B?
Draw a horizontal line from point B across the plane, draw a
vertical line from point A across the plane.
3. What geometric figure have you created? Square,
rhombus,
or triangle?

From the two lines drawn, a common point(intersection point) is created, point C.
4. How many unit is
5. How many unit is
6. Can we apply the
length of AB?
7. How many unit is

B to C?
A to C?
Pythagorean Theorem in solving the

A to B?

Applying Pythagorean Theorem in Deriving the Distance

Formula

c2 = a2 + b 2

c
B

in the figure, c = AB, a= BC, b= AC, by substitution we will

derived
(AB) 2 = (BC) 2 + (AC) 2, since the points are plotted in a Cartesian
Coordinate Plane, we can use their coordinates in finding their horizontal shift
(movement from left to right) and its vertical shift (movement upward and downward).
Point A is located at (5,3) point B (-5, -5). Based on Question#4, there is a horizontal
shift to the right from point B to C of 10 units, such that BC = (5-(-5)) = 10. Positive
Five (5) is the x value of point A (5,3) and -5 is the x value of point B (-5, -5).
(AB) 2 = (BC) 2 + (AC) 2