Distance Formula
Help Questions
SAT Math › Distance Formula
One line has four collinear points in order from left to right A, B, C, D. If AB = 10’, CD was twice as long as AB, and AC = 25’, how long is AD?
45'
40'
50'
35'
30'
Explanation
AB = 10 ’
BC = AC – AB = 25’ – 10’ = 15’
CD = 2 * AB = 2 * 10’ = 20 ’
AD = AB + BC + CD = 10’ + 15’ + 20’ = 45’
One line has four collinear points in order from left to right A, B, C, D. If AB = 10’, CD was twice as long as AB, and AC = 25’, how long is AD?
45'
40'
50'
35'
30'
Explanation
AB = 10 ’
BC = AC – AB = 25’ – 10’ = 15’
CD = 2 * AB = 2 * 10’ = 20 ’
AD = AB + BC + CD = 10’ + 15’ + 20’ = 45’
What is the distance between (1, 4) and (5, 1)?
4
5
9
3
7
Explanation
Let P1 = (1, 4) and P2 = (5, 1)
Substitute these values into the distance formula:
The distance formula is an application of the Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
What is the distance between (1, 4) and (5, 1)?
4
5
9
3
7
Explanation
Let P1 = (1, 4) and P2 = (5, 1)
Substitute these values into the distance formula:
The distance formula is an application of the Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
What is the distance of the line drawn between points (–1,–2) and (–9,4)?
√5
16
10
4
6
Explanation
The answer is 10. Use the distance formula between 2 points, or draw a right triangle with legs length 6 and 8 and use the Pythagorean Theorem.
What is the distance of the line drawn between points (–1,–2) and (–9,4)?
√5
16
10
4
6
Explanation
The answer is 10. Use the distance formula between 2 points, or draw a right triangle with legs length 6 and 8 and use the Pythagorean Theorem.
What is the distance between the points 
Explanation
Plug the points into the distance formula and simplify:
distance2 = (_x_2 – _x_1)2 + (_y_2 – _y_1)2 = (7 – 3)2 + (2 – 12)2 = 42 + 102 = 116
distance = √116 = √(4 * 29) = 2√29
What is the distance between the points
Explanation
Plug the points into the distance formula and simplify:
distance2 = (_x_2 – _x_1)2 + (_y_2 – _y_1)2 = (7 – 3)2 + (2 – 12)2 = 42 + 102 = 116
distance = √116 = √(4 * 29) = 2√29
Steven draws a line that is 13 units long. If 
Explanation
The distance formula is 
Plug in 
Plug in 
This is therefore the correct answer choice.
Steven draws a line that is 13 units long. If
Explanation
The distance formula is
Plug in
Plug in
This is therefore the correct answer choice.