Calculating Distance Between Points on a Coordinate Plane

The Organic Chemistry Tutor

This instructional video provides a clear, step-by-step tutorial on how to use the distance formula to find the length of a segment between two points on a coordinate plane. The narrator begins by introducing the formula itself, explaining the variables $x_1, y_1$ and $x_2, y_2$, and demonstrating how to label coordinates correctly to avoid errors. The video progresses from a standard example with positive integers to a more complex problem involving negative coordinates, highlighting the importance of paying attention to signs when subtracting negative numbers. The content covers key algebraic and geometric concepts, including substitution, order of operations, squaring binomial differences, and simplifying square roots. A significant portion of the video is dedicated to a practical application problem: calculating the area of a circle given its center and a point on its edge. This connects the distance formula to the concept of a radius and the area formula for circles ($A = \pi r^2$). For educators, this video serves as an excellent direct instruction tool or review resource for Algebra 1 and Geometry students. It is particularly useful for scaffolding learning, as it moves from procedural fluency (plugging in numbers) to conceptual application (finding circle area). The visual presentation—handwritten notes on a black background—focuses student attention strictly on the mathematical process, making it ideal for classroom demonstrations or independent study stations.