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Distance Formula

This lesson plan guides students through deriving the distance formula using the Pythagorean theorem. Students will work in small groups with the teacher mentor to complete a worksheet. The worksheet has them: 1) State the Pythagorean theorem, 2) Draw a right triangle to represent the distance between two points and label the sides, 3) Use the coordinates of the points to label the sides, 4) Set up and solve the Pythagorean theorem to arrive at the distance formula. The goal is for students to understand how to calculate the distance between two points.

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Robert Bernales
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82 views

Distance Formula

This lesson plan guides students through deriving the distance formula using the Pythagorean theorem. Students will work in small groups with the teacher mentor to complete a worksheet. The worksheet has them: 1) State the Pythagorean theorem, 2) Draw a right triangle to represent the distance between two points and label the sides, 3) Use the coordinates of the points to label the sides, 4) Set up and solve the Pythagorean theorem to arrive at the distance formula. The goal is for students to understand how to calculate the distance between two points.

Uploaded by

Robert Bernales
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TITLE: Distance Formula

Cube Fellow: Rachelle R. Bouchat

Teacher Mentor: Pam Callahan

Goal: The goal of this lesson is to guide the students through the derivation of the
distance formula via the Pythagorean Theorem.

Grade and Course: 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade algebra classes

KY Standards: MA-HS-2.1.3 (Measurement: Measuring Physical Attributes)


MA-HS-3.1.1 (Geometry: Shapes and Relationships)
MA-HS-3.1.2 (Geometry: Shapes and Relationships)
MA-HS-3.4.1 (Geometry: Foundational Statements)

Objectives: The objective is to have each student derive the distance formula
using the Pythagorean Theorem for right triangles.

Resources/materials needed: Worksheets

Description of Plan: Students will work in small groups of 3-5 students. The
Algebra Cubed fellow and the teacher mentor will work with the groups to help
guide them through the worksheet.

Lesson Source: This is a classic proof that was broken down into steps by the
Algebra Cubed fellow.

Instructional Mode: Group activity

Date Given: 09/21/06 Estimated Time: 50 minutes

Date Submitted to Algebra3: 11/15/06


Distance Formula Worksheet
The goal of this worksheet is to be able to derive the formula for the distance between two points.
1. What is the Pythagorean Theorem? (Hint: It involves the sides of the right triangle below.)

c
b

a
2. We want to find a formula for the distance between the two points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ). First
we draw a picture of the line segment from (x1 , y1 ) to (x2 , y2 ). Then we construct a right
triangle using this line segment as the hypotenuse (see the diagram below).
(x2,y2)

b=

(x 1,y1) P =( , )
a
=

(a) Our goal is to find the length of the line segment from (x1 , y1 ) to (x2 , y2 ). Label this
distance d in the above diagram.
(b) What are the coordinates of point P ? Fill in these coordinates in the above diagram.
(c) What is the distance a? Put this value on the diagram. (Hint: It will involve x1 and x2 )

(d) What is the distance b? Put this value on the diagram. (Hint: It will involve y1 and y2 )

3. Set up the Pythagorean Theorem with the information you put in the diagram in step 2.

4. Solve the equation you found in step 3 for d.

5. What does the equation you found in step 4 represent?

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