Length of Line Segment Calculator

Length Formula:

\[ \text{Length} = \sqrt{\Delta x^2 + \Delta y^2} \]

Length (unit):

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1. What is the Length of Line Segment?

The length of a line segment in a 2D plane can be calculated using the distance formula, which is derived from the Pythagorean theorem. It measures the straight-line distance between two points.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the distance formula:

\[ \text{Length} = \sqrt{\Delta x^2 + \Delta y^2} \]

Where:

\( \Delta x \) — Difference in x-coordinates
\( \Delta y \) — Difference in y-coordinates

Explanation: The formula calculates the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by the x and y differences between two points.

3. Importance of Length Calculation

Details: Calculating line segment lengths is fundamental in geometry, physics, engineering, and computer graphics. It's used in distance measurements, vector calculations, and spatial analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the differences in x and y coordinates (Δx and Δy). The calculator will compute the straight-line distance between the two points.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can this be used for 3D distances?
A: No, this calculator is for 2D only. For 3D, you would need to include a z-coordinate difference.

Q2: What units does this use?
A: The result is in the same units as your input values (Δx and Δy).

Q3: How accurate is the calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact, though displayed results are rounded to 4 decimal places.

Q4: Can I use negative values?
A: Yes, negative values are acceptable as the differences are squared in the calculation.

Q5: What's the difference between distance and length?
A: In this context, they refer to the same measurement - the straight-line distance between two points.