Use the applet below to help you explore the distance between two points on the coordinate plane.

1. What is the [b]horizontal[/b] distance between the two points (the distance left/right)?[br][br]2. How could you use the coordinates of the points to calculate the horizontal distance between the two points?[br][br]3. What is the [b]vertical[/b] distance between the two points (the distance up/down)?[br][br]4. How could you use the coordinates of the points to calculate the vertical distance between the two points?[br][br]The distance between point A and B can be calculated by building a right triangle and using the Pythagorean Theorem. The horizontal and vertical distances between the points create the sides of the right triangle and the direct distance is the hypotenuse.[br]5. Calculate the distance between points A and B in the applet above.[br][br]6. How can you use the coordinates of any two points to find the distance between them? Create a formula that works for any two points.