Find the distance between P(x₁, y₁) and Q(x₂, y₂) when:

Question 3 of 70beginner🔧 ApplyShort Answer4 marks

Find the distance between $P(x_1, y_1)$ and $Q(x_2, y_2)$ when:

(i)

PQ is parallel to the $y$ -axis

Answer

|y₂ - y₁|

(ii)

PQ is parallel to the $x$ -axis

Answer

|x₂ - x₁|

Explanation

This question tests understanding of the distance formula and its application in special cases. When a line segment is parallel to the y-axis, it is vertical, meaning all points on it have the same x-coordinate. Similarly, when parallel to the x-axis, it is horizontal with all points having the same y-coordinate. The textbook provides the general distance formula PQ = √[(x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)²], which simplifies significantly in these special cases.

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