Lesson 1-3

Formulas

Lesson 1-3: Formulas 1

 The Coordinate Plane
Definition: In the coordinate plane, the horizontal number line
(called the x- axis) and the vertical number line
(called the y- axis) interest at their zero points
called the Origin.
y - axis

Origin
x - axis

Lesson 1-3: Formulas 2

 The Distance Formula

The distance d between any two points with coordinates ( x1 , y1 )

and ( x2 , y2 ) is given by the formula d = ( x − x ) 2 + ( y − y . ) 2
2 1 2 1

Example: Find the distance between (-3, 2) and (4, 1)

x1 = -3, x2 = 4, y1 = 2 , y2 = 1
2 2
d= (−3 − 4) + (2 − 1)

2 2
d= (−7) + (1) = 49 + 1

d= 50 or 5 2 or 7.07
Lesson 1-3: Formulas 3
 Midpoint Formula
In the coordinate plane, the coordinates of the midpoint of a
segment whose endpoints have coordinates ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 )
are ⎛⎜ x1 + x2 , y1 + y2 ⎞⎟ .
⎝ 2 2 ⎠

Example: Find the midpoint between (-2, 5) and (6, 4)

x1 = -2, x2 = 6, y1 = 5, and y2 = 4
⎛ −2 + 6 , 5 + 4 ⎞
M= ⎝ 2 2 ⎠
⎛ 4 , 9 ⎞ = ⎛ 2, 9 ⎞
M= ⎝ 2 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠
Lesson 1-3: Formulas 4
 Slope Formula

Definition: In a coordinate plane, the slope of a line is the ratio of

its vertical rise over its horizontal run. rise
run
Formula: The slope m of a line containing two points with
coordinates ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) is given by
y2 − y1
the formula m = where x1 ≠ x2.
x2 − x1
Example: Find the slope between (-2, -1) and (4, 5).
x1 = −2, x2 = 4, y1 = −1, y2 = 5
y2 − y1 5 − ( −1)
m= = 6
m = =1
x2 − x1 4 − (−2) 6
Lesson 1-3: Formulas 5
 Describing Lines

z Lines that have a positive slope rise from left to right.

z Lines that have a negative slope fall from left to right.

z Lines that have no slope (the slope is undefined) are vertical.

z Lines that have a slope equal to zero are horizontal.

Lesson 1-3: Formulas 6

 Some More Examples

z Find the slope between (4, -5) and (3, -5) and describe it.
−5 − −5 0
m= = =0
4−3 1
Since the slope is zero, the line must be horizontal.
z Find the slope between (3,4) and (3,-2) and describe the
line. 4 − −2 6
m= = =∅
3− 3 0

Since the slope is undefined, the line must be vertical.

Lesson 1-3: Formulas 7

 Example 3 : Find the slope of the line through the
given points and describe the line.
(7, 6) and (– 4, 6)
left 11
y (-11)
Solution: up 0
y 2 − y1
m =
x2 − x1
6−6 (– 4, 6) (7, 6)
=
( − 4) − 7 x
0
=
− 11
=0
This line is horizontal.
Lesson 1-3: Formulas 8
 Example 4: Find the slope of the line through the
given points and describe the line.

(– 3, – 2) and (– 3, 8) right 0
y
Solution: (– 3, 8)
y 2 − y1
m =
x 2 − x1
up 10
8 − ( −2 )
=
( − 3) − ( − 3 ) x
(– 3, – 2)
10
= undefined
0
This line is vertical.
Lesson 1-3: Formulas 9
 Practice
z Find the distance between (3, 2) and (-1, 6).

z Find the midpoint between (7, -2) and (-4, 8).

z Find the slope between (-3, -1) and (5, 8) and describe the line.

z Find the slope between (4, 7) and (-4, 5) and describe the line.

z Find the slope between (6, 5) and (-3, 5) and describe the line.

Lesson 1-3: Formulas 10