Module 1: Cartesian coordinate system, Distance Formula,
Midpoint of a line Segment and Slope of a line
1.1. The rectangular coordinate system
Consider two number lines, one vertical and one horizontal, perpendicular to each other at the
point associated with zero on both lines. Refer to these number lines as the horizontal and vertical
axes, or together as the coordinate axes. These lines divide the plane into four regions called
quadrants. These quadrants are numbered counter clockwise from I through IV. The point of
intersection of the two axes is called the origin. The horizontal axis referred to as the x-axis and the
vertical as the y-axis.
In general, real numbers x and y in an ordered pair (x,y) are associated with a point as the
coordinates of the point. The first number, x, is called the abscissa, is the directed distance of the point
from the vertical axis measured parallel to the horizontal axis. The second number y is called the
ordinate is the directed distance of the point from the horizontal axis measured parallel to the vertical
axis. We have indicated the sign situations for all four quadrants in the figure below. This system of
associating point in a plane with pairs of real numbers is called the rectangular coordinate system or
the Cartesian coordinate system.
1.2. Distance Formula
Distance Formula
Distance Formula is an algebraic expression that gives the distances between pairs of points in terms
of their coordinates.
Distance Formula: Given the two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the distance d between these
points is given by the formula:
d=√(𝑥2 − 𝑥1)² + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1)²
Example:
Find the distance between the points (-3,4) and (1,-2).
To use the Distance Formula, it can help if you label the points. It's usually easiest to just pick the first one
listed to call Point 1. Remember that the x-coordinate is always listed first and the y-coordinate is listed second
in an ordered pair.
Page 1 of 3
M 106 Calculus 1 with Analytic Geometry
SOUTH EAST ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Module 1: Cartesian coordinate system, Distance Formula,
Midpoint of a line Segment and Slope of a line
Substitute these values into the Distance Formula and simplify to find the distance between the two points.
1.3. Midpoint of a line segment
The midpoint of a line segment with endpoints A(x₁, y₁) and B(x₂, y₂) is
𝑥₁ + 𝑥₂ 𝑦₁ + 𝑦₂
( , )
2 2
Example: Find the midpoint of the line joining the points (5,-1) and (-4,2).
5+(−4) (−1)+2 1 1
Solution: midpoint= ( , )= (2 , 2)
2 2
1.4. Slope of a line
The slope of a line is the ratio of the vertical change (rise) compared to the horizontal change
(run) as we move from one point to another point. Thus, the slope of a line given by
𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
m= ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
𝑦₂−𝑦₁
𝑚= 𝑥₂−𝑥₁
, x₁≠x₂
Page 2 of 3
M 106 Calculus 1 with Analytic Geometry
SOUTH EAST ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Module 1: Cartesian coordinate system, Distance Formula,
Midpoint of a line Segment and Slope of a line
Note: A positive slope indicates that the line goes up from left to right; and a negative slope indicates
that the line goes down from left to right.
Example: Determine the slope of the line joining the points (3, 2) and (-4,3)
3−2 1 1
Solution: 𝑚 = (−4)−3 = −7 = − 7
Exercises
A. Plot the following points on a rectangular coordinate plane and find the distance between the two
given points.
1. (-2,4) and (8,7)
2. (5,2) and (0,6)
3. (3/4, 5/6) and (2/3, 4/7)
4. (30,25) and (-40,15)
5. (-1/2, -7/8) and (6/5 , -3/8)
B. Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment joining the given pair of points
1. (3,10) and (2,-4)
2. (-2,-9) and (0,-8)
3. (0.25, 1.5) and (2.75, -4.5)
4. (-4.25, -6.5) and (8.5, 1)
5. (-30, 5) and (-25, -10)
C. Determine the slope of the line joining the pair of points
1. (3, 10) and (2,-4)
2. (2,-5) and (9, 12)
3. (-3/5, 4/5) and (3/10, 9/10)
4. (-4.25, -6.5) and (8.5, 1)
5. (-1/2, -7/8) and (6/5, -3/8)
Page 3 of 3
M 106 Calculus 1 with Analytic Geometry
SOUTH EAST ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, INC.
