The Length Of A Line Segment - GCSE Maths Revision - BBC Bitesize

In this guide

1. Revise
2. Video
3. Test

Pages

1. Pythagoras' theorem
2. Calculating the length of the hypotenuse
3. Calculating the length of one of the shorter sides
4. Identifying right-angled triangles
5. The length of a line segment
6. Solving problems using Pythagoras' theorem
7. Pythagoras' theorem in 3 dimensions - Higher

The length of a line segment

Pythagoras' theorem can be used to calculate the distance between two points.

The line between points X and Y is a line segment. A line segment is a part of a line which has two end points.

Example

Point A has the coordinates (3,2).

Point B has the coordinates (11,8).

Calculate the distance AB.

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2. 

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Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 2, Points A and B, First plot the pointsEnd of image gallery

Use Pythagoras' theorem to calculate the distance AB.

\(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\)

\(6^2 + 8^2 = \text{AB}^2\)

\(100 = \text{AB}^2\)

The length of AB is 10.

Key factThe length of a line segment can be calculated using Pythagoras' theorem.Next pageSolving problems using Pythagoras' theoremPrevious pageIdentifying right-angled triangles

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