
# 1.5: The Plane

### 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

$\text{Distance}=\sqrt{(c-a)^2+(d-b)^2}.$

Example 1

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

Solution

\begin{align} \text{Distance} &=\sqrt{(-4-1)^2+(3-1)^2} \\ &=\sqrt{25+4}\\&=\sqrt{29}. \end{align}

### The Midpoint Formula

Definition: Midpoint

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

$M=\Big(\dfrac{a+c}{2},\dfrac{b+d}{2}\Big).$

Example 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:

\begin{align} M &= \left(\dfrac{3+18}{2}, \dfrac{4+22}{2}\right) \\ &=(10.5,13). \end{align}

Exercise

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 $$(\sqrt{3},-\sqrt{3})$$ are vertices of a right triangle.

### Graphing on a Calculator

We will graph the equations:

1. $$y = 2x - 3$$  (Use graph then y(x) =)

2. $$y = 5x^2 + 4$$

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

• Integrated by Justin Marshall.