Practice Questions on Distance Formula with Solution

Example 1. Given two points A(3, 4) and B(7, 9), find the distance between them.

Solution:

To find the distance between two points A(3, 4) and B(7, 9), we use the distance formula:

d = √(7 – 3)² + (9 – 4)²

= √16+25

= √41

So, the distance between two points A(3, 4) and B(7, 9) is √41.

Example 2. Find the midpoint of the line segment joining the points P(2, 5) and Q(8, -3).

Solution:

The midpoint of a line segment PQ with endpoints P(x₁, y₁) and Q(x₂, y₂) is given by the midpoint formula:

Midpoint = (x1 + x2)/2 , (y1 + y2)/2

= (2 + 8)/2, (5 + (-3))/2

= 5, 1

So, the midpoint of the line segment joining the points P(2, 5) and Q(8, -3) is (5, 1).

Example 3. Determine the distance between the point (4, -1) and the line 3x + 4y – 7 = 0.

Solution:

The distance between a point (x₀, y₀) and a line Ax + By + C = 0 is given by:

distance = ∣Ax0 +By0 + C∣/√A² + B²

= ∣3(4) + 4(−1) − 7∣/√3² + 4²

= ∣12−4−7∣ / √9 + 16

= ∣1∣ / √25

= 1/5

So, the distance between the point (4, -1) and the line 3x + 4y – 7 = 0 is 1/5.

Example 4. What is the distance between the point (-1, 6) and the line 2x – 3y + 5 = 0?

Solution:

The distance between a point (x₀, y₀) and a line Ax + By + C = 0 is given by:

distance = ∣Ax0 +By0 + C∣/√A2 + B2

= ∣2(−1) −3(6) + 5∣/√2² + (-3)²

= ∣−2 − 18 + 5∣ / √4 + 9

= ∣−15∣ / √13

= 15/√13

So, the distance between the point (-1, 6) and the line 3x + 4y – 7 = 0 is 15/√13.

Example 5. Find the distance between the parallel lines 2x + 3y – 4 = 0 and 2x + 3y + 6 = 0.

Solution:

To find the distance between the parallel lines 2x + 3y − 4 = 0 and 2x + 3y + 6 = 0, we use the formula:

distance = ∣C2 − C1∣/√A² + B²

Plugging in the values, we get:

distance = ∣6 − (−4)∣/√2² + 3²

​= ∣10∣/√13

= 10/√13

So, the distance between the two parallel lines is 10/√13.

Example 6. Calculate the distance between the parallel lines 4x – 3y – 9 = 0 and 4x – 3y + 7 = 0.

Solution:

To find the distance between the parallel lines 4x – 3y − 9 = 0 and 4x + 3y + 7 = 0, we use the formula:

distance = ∣C2 − C1∣/√A² + B²

Plugging in the values, we get:

distance = ∣7 − (-9)∣/√4²+ 3²

​= ∣16∣/√25

= 16/5

So, the distance between the two parallel lines is 16/5.

Example 7. If A(-2, 1) and B(3, -4) are two points, find the distance between them.

Solution:

To find the distance between two points A(-2, 1) and B(3, -4), we use the distance formula:

d = √(3 – (-2))² + (-4 – 1)²

= √25 + 25

= 5√2

So, the distance between two points A(-2, 1) and B(3, -4) is 5√2.

Example 8. Determine the midpoint of the line segment joining the points C(5, -2) and D(-3, 7).

Solution:

The midpoint of a line segment PQ with endpoints P(x₁, y₁) and Q(x₂, y₂) is given by the midpoint formula:

Midpoint = (x1 + x2)/2 , (y1 + y2)/2

= (5 + (-3))/2, (-2 + 7)/2

= 2, 5

So, the midpoint of the line segment joining the points P(5, -2) and Q(-3, 7) is (2, 5).

Example 9. What is the distance between the point (1, 3) and the line 5x – 2y + 8 = 0?

Solution:

The distance between a point (x₀, y₀) and a line Ax + By + C = 0 is given by:

distance = ∣Ax0 +By0 + C∣/√A2 + B2

= ∣5(1) − 2(3) + 8∣/√5² + (-2)²

= ∣5 − 6 + 8∣ / √25 + 4

= ∣7∣ / √29

= 7/√29

So, the distance between the point (4, -1) and the line 3x + 4y – 7 = 0 is 7/√29.

Example 10. Find the distance between the parallel lines 3x – 4y + 6 = 0 and 3x – 4y – 2 = 0.

Solution:

To find the distance between the parallel lines 3x – 4y + 6 = 0 and 3x – 4y – 2 = 0, we use the formula:

distance = ∣C2 − C1∣/√A² + B²

Plugging in the values, we get:

distance = ∣-2 − (6)∣/√3² + 4²

​= ∣-8∣/√25

= 8/5

So, the distance between the two parallel lines is 8/5.

Distance Formula is an important concept in coordinate geometry to find distance between two points or a point and a line or between two lines. This article will explain concepts related to Distance Formula and presents solved and unsolved questions based on them. These questions are essential for students for better clarity and excel in their exam