Chapter 10, Section 1

Distance and Midpoint Formulas; Circles

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 The Distance Formula
The distance, d, between the points and in the
rectangular coordinate system is:
 Example
Find the distance between (-1, -3) and (2, 3). Express the answer in
simplified radical form.

Solution:
With the formula, identify the four values
needed.
= (-1, 3) and = (2, 3)
Place into the formula and solve
continue
Formula:

Values: = (-1, -3) and = (2, 3)

So
d=

Simplify: d =

d= d= units
Your turn
Find the distance between the points (2, 3) and (14, 8).
 The Midpoint Formula
Consider the line segment whose endpoints are and

The coordinates of the segment’s midpoint are

 Example
Find the midpoint of a line segment with endpoints ( 1, - 6) and
( - 8, - 4)

Solution: with the formula, find the indicated values.

= (1, - 6) and = (- 8 - 4)
Place the values into the formula and simplify:
So the midpoint is
Your turn
• Find the coordinates of the midpoint of a line segment that has
endpoints at (- 4, -7) and (-1, -3)
 Circles
Definition: Set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed
point, called the center. The fixed distance from the circle’s center to
any point on the circle is called the radius.

diameter
radius
center
 Vocabulary
Center - point
Radius – from center to circle
Diameter - endpoints on the circle passing through the center.
- length is 2 times the radius.

Standard Form of the Equation of a circle: Center at (h, k), radius, r

General Form of the Equation of a Circle

 Example 1
Write the standard form of the equation of a circle that has a center at
(-2, 3) with a radius of 5.

Solution: Use the formula: where (h, k) = (-2, 3)

r=5
Substitute:
 Example 2
Find the center and radius of the circle that has the equation:

Solution:
Relate the values with the formula:
h = 3, k = - 4, r = 6
So the center is at (3, - 4) and the radius is 6
 Example 3
Given the equation of the circle:
Rewrite in standard form.
Solution:
Complete the square.
 Problem
Find the standard form of the equation of a circle that the endpoints of
the diameter of a circle are (- 4, 1) and (2, 5).
 Summary
• Find the distance between two points.

• Find the midpoint of a line segment given the endpoints.

• Given the center and radius of a circle, find the equation.