The length of a line

Or
The distance between two points
 The length of a line
• How would we find the length of the line PQ?
Q

P
The distance between
two points.

How can get an idea of the

distance between Toco and
Scarborough?
What mathematical method can we use find the length
of this diagonal line AB in the right angled triangle?

B
 Pythagoras’ Theorem
A

Hypotenuse   Pythagoras’ Theorem

Side
Hypotenuse =

hence, AB =
Side
B
Example 1: Determine the length of the line AB, joining the two
points A(1,2) and B(8,7) correct to two decimal places.

• Calculate the length of the line AB using a graph.

• Come up with a general formula
for
calculating the length of a line.
 Points to note:
1)These points need to be the first and last point on the line in order to calculate the length of the whole line.
2)The length of the diagonal line being found is the length of the hypotenuse in a right angled triangle.

•  The square of any real number is

3) 5) The length of a line or distance
positive: between two points is always
Eg.1) (-9)2 = -9 x -9 = +81 positive and cannot be negative.

Eg.2) (5)2 = 5 x 5 = +25 Eg.4) LAB = + 7.31 units

4) There is no real solution for the Eg.5) LAB ≠ - 7.31 units

square root of a negative number. hence, all solutions for distance or
Eg.3) = no real solution length are positive.
 Formula for the length of a line
•   Given the first and last point A(x1, y1) and B (x2, y2).
The length of the line is found using:
• LAB =
Example 2: Find the distance between the
points C and D correct to 2 dp.

• Calculate the distance between C and D using the general formula

discovered with reference to the graph.
 Steps
involved in calculating the length of a line.
1) Identify the first and last coordinates involved.
2) Label the first coordinate (x1, y1) and the last coordinate (x2, y2).
3) State the general formula.
4) Substitute the appropriate values into the formula.
5) Solve.
ILSSS
 Example 3:
In groups of 4
discuss and calculate
the length of the line segment joining the two points E(5, -5) and F(3, -11)
giving your answer correct to 2 dp.
 Exercise 1
(Individual in class work)
1) What is the distance between the points Q(5, 2) and R(9, 8).
A)7.01 C)7.12
B)7.21 D)7.31
2) Find the length of the line segment YZ, given that
Y(4, 3) and Z(-2, 1) .
A) 6.32 C) 6.23
B) 6. 22 D) 6.33
 Exercise 1
(Individual Class work)

3) Determine the length AC

of the line show in the
figure.
A) 11.1 C) 11.3
B) 11.2 D) 11.4
 Exercise 1
(Individual Class work)

4) Determine the length of

the line show in the figure.
A) 5.3 C) 5.1
B) 5.4 D) 5.0
 Exercise 2
(Individual home work)

1)What is the length of the line, JK, joining the two points J(-7, -1) and K(1,
5)
correct to one decimal place.
2) Determine the distance between the points E(2, -5) and F(-2, 3) correct to
two decimal places.
3) Find the length of the line segment GH, given, that G(0, -6) and H(-3,-2).
 Exercise 2
(Individual home work)

4) Determine the distance

between the points A and B
correct to two decimal places.