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1.5: The Plane

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The Distance Formula

Definition: Distance

Recall that for two points (a,b) and (c,d) in a plane, the distance is found by the formula

Distance=(ca)2+(db)2.

Example 1.5.1

Find the distance between the points (1,1) and (4,3).

Solution

Distance=(41)2+(31)2=25+4[5pt]=29.

The Midpoint Formula

Definition: Midpoint

For points (a,b) and (c,d) the midpoint of the line segment formed by these points has coordinates:

M=(a+c2,b+d2).

Example 1.5.2

Suppose that you have a boat at one side of the lake with coordinates (3,4) and your friend has a boat at the other side of the lake with coordinates (18,22). If you want to meet half way, at what coordinates should you meet?

Solution:

M=(3+182,4+222)=(10.5,13).

Exercises

  1. Show that the points (5,14), (1,4), and (11,10) are vertices of an isosceles triangle.

  2. Show that the triangle with vertices (1,1), (1,1), and (3,3) are vertices of a right triangle.

Graphing on a Calculator

We will graph the equations:

  1. y=2x3 (Use graph then y(x) =)

  2. y=5x2+4

  3. y=|x+1| (To find absolute value, use catalog then hit enter)

  4. y=2x+{1,0,1,2,3,5} (find the curly braces "{" and "}" use the list feature)

Contributors


This page titled 1.5: The Plane is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Larry Green.

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