Coordinate Geometry
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The distance between two points
The length of the line joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is:

Example:
Find the distance between the points (5, 3) and (1, 4).

Distance = Ö[(1 - 5)² + (4 - 3)²]
= Ö[16 + 1] = Ö17

The midpoint of a line joining two points
The midpoint of the line joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is:

[½(x1 + x2), ½(y1 + y2)]

Example:
Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line joining (1, 2) and (3, 1).

[½(3 + 1), ½(2 + 1)] = (2, 1.5)

The gradient of a line joining two points
The gradient of the line joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is:

y2 - y1
x2 - x1



Example:
Find the gradient of the line joining the points (5, 3) and (1, 4).
Gradient = 4 - 3 =  1 =  -0.25
                   1 - 5     -4

The equation of a line using one point and the gradient
The equation of a line which has gradient m and which passes through the point (x1, y1) is:

y - y1 = m(x - x1)

Example:
Find the equation of the line with gradient 2 passing through (1, 4).

y - 4 = 2(x - 1)
y - 4 = 2x - 2
y = 2x + 2

Since m = y2 - y1
               x2 - x1
The equation of a line passing through (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) can be written as:
y - y1 = y2 - y1
x - x1    x2 - x1

© Matthew Pinkey

Other Notes in this Category

1. Coordinate Geometry
2. Curve Sketching

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