Distance on the Coordinate Plane (Grade 6)
When two points share a row (same y) or a column (same x), the distance between them is just the difference of the coordinates that change. From (2, 3) to (7, 3), only x changes: 7 − 2 = 5 units apart. Counting grid steps works too — but subtracting is faster and avoids miscounting.
Understanding distance on the coordinate plane
When two points share a row (same y) or a column (same x), the distance between them is just the difference of the coordinates that change. From (2, 3) to (7, 3), only x changes: 7 − 2 = 5 units apart. Counting grid steps works too — but subtracting is faster and avoids miscounting.
Key Idea
When two points share a row (same y) or a column (same x), the distance between them is just the difference of the coordinates that change. From (2, 3) to (7, 3), only x changes: 7 − 2 = 5 units apart. Counting grid steps works too — but subtracting is faster and avoids miscounting.
Seeing it in action
Worked example
Distance from (2, 3) to (7, 3)?
Same y (both 3), so subtract the x's: 7 − 2 = 5 units.
Same y-coordinate, so subtract x-values: 7 − 2.
Try a few
(1, 4) to (1, 9)?
same x; 9 − 4.
(0, 0) to (6, 0)?
(3, 2) to (3, 8)?
Coordinate Quest
A calm treasure-map game for plotting, reading, and translating points on a coordinate plane.
Ready for the interactive lab?
Practice distance on the coordinate plane in Numeris with instant feedback.
Put the reasoning on paper.
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