In answer to your question, you can do it either way, because the numbers get squared anyway.
sqrt[(5-1)^2 + (1 -(-2))^2] = sqrt[16 + 9) = 5
Find the distance between points (-2,1) and (1,5)
When finding the distance between these 2 points would you subtract 1-(-2) or -2-1? The same question with the other one as well.
6 answers
Would it matter in any other case though???
Yes, it matters if you want the slope of the line between the points. Then you must use either
(y2 = y1)/(x2 - x1) or (y1 - y2)/(x1 - x2).
(y2 = y1)/(x2 - x1) or (y1 - y2)/(x1 - x2).
But if you're not trying to find the slope it wouldn't matter right?
For the distance between points, it doesn't matter.
Alrighty! Thanks so much! (: