Finding the Distance
The distance formula can be obtained by creating a triangle and using the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse of the triangle will be the distance between the two points.The subscripts refer to the first and second points; it doesn't matter which points you call first or second.
x2 and y2 are the x,y coordinates for one point
x1and y1 are the x,y coordinates for the second point
d is the distance between the two points
x2 and y2 are the x,y coordinates for one point
x1and y1 are the x,y coordinates for the second point
d is the distance between the two points
Finding the Midpoint
The Midpoint formula is used when you need the point that is exactly between two other points. The midpoint formula is applied when you need to find a line that bisects a specific line segment. Essentially, the 'middle point' is called the "midpoint".