Finding distances between points that share a common coordinate given the graph

In this lesson, we are given graphs with two points that share a common coordinate. We are required to find the distance between the two points in the graph.

Rules to find distance between the points

First we look at the coordinates of the two points in the given graph.

We see that the two points have one of the coordinates same or have a shared common coordinate.

The difference between the coordinates of the two points other than the shared coordinates gives the distance between the two points in the graph.

Example

There be two points A and B on a grid. Find the distance between these two points A and B.

Solution

Step 1 − Suppose the coordinates of points A and B are (5, 2), (9, 2). The shared common coordinates are the y coordinates.

Step 2 − So the distance these points is the difference between x coordinates 5 and 9, given by 9 – 5 = 4 units

Find the distance between the pair of points in the following graph −

Solution

Step 1 − The coordinates of the pair of points are (3, −3) and (3, −10).

Step 2 − The distance between the pair of points is the difference between their y coordinates as x coordinates are same.

Step 3 − The distance between the pair of points = −3 –(−10) = −3 + 10 = 7 units.

Find the distance between the pair of points in the following graph −

Solution

Step 1 − The coordinates of the pair of points are (−3, 10) and (−3, 4).

Step 2 − The distance between the pair of points is the difference between their y coordinates as x coordinates are same.

Step 3 − The distance between the pair of points = 10 – 4 = 6 units.