APPLICATIONS

OF DISTANCE
FORMULA
Find the area of the triangle with vertices at A (6,8), B (16,8) and
C (11,17) using the coordinates of the vertices.
Solution: A (6,8), B (16,8) and C (11,17)
x1 = 6 x2 =16 x3 = 11
y1 = 8 y2 =8 y3 = 17
Formula:
A = ½ (x1y2 + x2y3 + x3y1 ) - (y1x2 + y2x3 + y3x1 )
A = ½ ( (6)(8) + (16)(17) + (11)(8) – (8)(16) + (8)(11) + (17)(6)
A = ½ ( (48) + (272) + (88) – (128) +(88) + (102)
A = ½ (408) – (318)
A = ½ (90)
A = 45 sq. units
 Determine the length of the diagonals, perimeter and the area of a
parallelogram ABCD with vertices at A(2,3), B (10,3)C (12,6) and D
(4,6). Refer to the figure above.
 DIVISION OF
LINE SEGMENTS
DIVISION OF A LINE SEGMENT
Formula:
abscissa(x) = x1r2 + x2r1
r1 + r 2
ordinate(y) = y1r2 + y2r1
r1 + r 2
 Example: Find the coordinates of the points which trisect the line
segment joining the points P(10,3) and S (-5,6). Let point Q and R
represent the two points.
Solution: Find the coordinates of point Q.
Let PQ = r1 = 1 and QS = r2 = 2
P (10,3) S (-5,6)
Formula: x = x1r2 + x2r1
r 1 + r2
x = (10) (2) + (-5)(1)
1+2
x = 20 - (5)
3
x = 15/ 3 x = 5
Solution: Find the coordinates of point Q.
Let PQ = r1 = 1 and QS = r2 = 2
P (10,3) S (-5,6)
Formula: y = y1r2 + y2r1
r 1 + r2
y = (3) (2) + (6)(1)
1+2
y=6+6
3
y = 12/ 3 y = 4
Therefore, the coordinates of point Q are (5,4).
Solution: Find the coordinates of point R.
Let PR = r1 = 2 and RS = r2 = 1
P (10,3) S (-5,6)
Formula: x = x1r2 + x2r1
r 1 + r2
x = (10) (1) + (-5)(2)
1+2
x = 10 - (10)
3
x = 0/ 3 x = 0
Solution: Find the coordinates of point R.
Let PR = r1 = 2 and RS = r2 = 1
P (10,3) S (-5,6)
Formula: y = y1r2 + y2r1
r 1 + r2
y = (3) (1) + (6)(2)
1+2
y = 3 + 12
3
y = 15/ 3 y = 5
Hence, the coordinates of point R are (0,5).
Figure 1.9 shows the points that trisect the line segment joining
the points P(10,3) and S (-5,6).
Activity
 Find the area of a rectangular
garden with vertices at A(3,4) B(3,-
2) C (8,4) and D (8,-2).
Find the coordinates of the point, which
is the three-fifths of the way from point
P1(4,-7) to P2 (-1,8).

*hint r1 = 3/5 r2 = 2/5

2. The line segment from P1(-2,4) to P (6,-3)
is extended twice its own length. Find the
coordinates of the terminal point P2.

*hint r1 = d r2 = 2d