Question

when you use the distance formula does the order in which you subtract the x and y coordinates matter explain

Answer 1

No, order in which we subtract the x coordinates and y coordinates does nor matter

Explanation:

Let the two points be
`\left ( x_1,y_1 \right )\,\,,\,\,\left ( x_2,y_2 \right )`

By distance formula: distance between points
`\left ( x_1,y_1 \right )\,\,,\,\,\left ( x_2,y_2 \right )` is equal to
`√(\left ( x_2-x_1 \right )^2+\left ( y_2-y_1 \right )^2)`

We know that
`\left ( x_2-x_1 \right )^2=\left ( x_1-x_2 \right )^2` and
`\left ( y_2-y_1 \right )^2=\left ( y_1-y_2 \right )^2`

So,

`√(\left ( x_2-x_1 \right )^2+\left ( y_2-y_1 \right )^2)\\=√(\left ( x_1-x_2 \right )^2+\left ( y_1-y_2 \right )^2)`

Therefore, we can say in distance formula , order in which we subtract the x coordinates and y coordinates does nor matter .

For example distance between points
`\left ( 2,3 \right )\,,\,\left ( 4,5 \right )` is shown as below :

`√(\left ( 4-2 \right )^2+\left ( 5-3 \right )^2)\\=√(\left ( 2-4 \right )^2+\left ( 3-5 \right )^2)\\=√(4+4)\\=√(8)`

Answer 2

use the first x then subtract the second x. then the y then the second y. yes it does matter because the numbers you subtract will add up to your answer