Distance Formula and Pythagorean Theorem

The distance formula is derived from the Pythagorean theorem. To find the distance between two points
(x1,y1) and (x2,y2), all that you need to do is use the coordinates of these ordered pairs and apply the
formula pictured below.
The distance formula is

Distance =(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2 Distance =(x2x1)2+(y2y1)2

Below is a diagram of the distance formula applied to a picture of a line segmentstance
Formulais just the Pythagorean Theorem in Disguise
Task #1
Plot points A, B and C.
A has coordinates (2,3)
B has coordinates (2,-1)
C has coordinates (-1,-1)
.

The distance formula is derived from the

Pythagorean theorem. To find
the distance between two points (x1,y1)
and (x2,y2), all that you need to do is use
the coordinates of these ordered pairs and
apply the formula pictured below.
Distance is a numerical
description of
how far apart objects are. In physics or everyday usage, distance may refer to a
physical length, or an estimation based on other criteria (e.g. "two counties over").
In mathematics, a distance function ormetric is a generalization of the concept of
physical distance. A metric is a function that behaves according to a specific set of
rules, and is a concrete way of describing what it means for elements of some
space to be "close to" or "far away from" each other. In most cases, "distance from A
to B" is interchangeable with "distance between B and A".

Circle
Solve for
area

A=r2
R- radius
The standard form equation of a circle is a way to express the definition of a circle on the coordinate plane.
On the coordinate plane, the formula becomes (xh)2+(yk)2=r2(xh)2+(yk)2=r2
h and k are the x and y coordinates of the center of the circle
(x9)2+(y6)2=100(x9)2+(y6)2=100 is a circle centered at (9,6) with a radius of 10

conic section
noun
1.
a figure formed by the intersection of a plane and a right circular cone. Depending on the angle of the plane with
respect to the cone, a conic section may be a circle, an ellipse, a parabola, or a hyperbola.

Circle

Ellipse (h)

Ellipse (v)

Parabola (h)

Hyperbola (h)

Parabola (v)

Hyperbola (v)

Definition:
A conic section is the
intersection of a plane
and a cone.
By changing the angle and location of intersection, we can produce a circle, ellipse, parabola or hyperbola; or in the
special case when the plane touches the vertex: a point, line or 2 intersecting lines.

Point

Line

Double Line

The General Equation for a Conic Section:

Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0

The type of section can be found from the sign of: B 2 - 4AC
If B2 - 4AC is...

then the curve is a...

<0

ellipse, circle, point or no curve.

=0

parabola, 2 parallel lines, 1 line or no curve.

>0

hyperbola or 2 intersecting lines.

The Conic Sections. For any of the below with a center (j, k) instead of (0, 0), replace each x term
with (x-j) and each y term with (y-k).
Circle
Equation (horiz. vertex):

Ellipse

x +y =r

Parabola

x / a + y / b = 1 4px = y

Equations of Asymptotes:
Equation (vert. vertex):

Hyperbola
x2 / a2 - y2 / b2 = 1
y = (b/a)x

x +y =r

y / a + x / b = 1 4py = x

Equations of Asymptotes:

y2 / a2 - x2 / b2 = 1
x = (b/a)y

Variables:

a = major radius (=
1/2 length major
axis)
p = distance from
b = minor radius
r = circle radius
vertex to focus (or
(= 1/2 length
directrix)
minor axis)
c = distance center
to focus

a = 1/2 length major

axis
b = 1/2 length minor
axis
c = distance center to
focus

Eccentricity:

c/a

c/a

Relation to Focus:

p=0

a 2 - b2 = c 2

p=p

a2 + b2 = c2

Definition: is the locus of

all points which meet the
condition...

distance to the
origin is
constant

sum of distances to
difference between
distance to focus =
each focus is
distances to each foci is
distance to directrix
constant
constant

Related Topics:

Geometry
section on
Circles