Further Pure Mathematics - 4PM1 PearsonEdexcel

Distance And Midpoints

Overview

Every coordinate geometry problem starts with the same raw material: a pair of points on the Cartesian plane. From those two points you can measure exactly how far apart they are, find the point that sits exactly halfway between them, or locate the point that divides the segment in any ratio you choose. These three skills unlock the rest of coordinate geometry, from proving that a shape is a particular quadrilateral to finding the centre of a circle.

In this topic you will master the distance formula, the midpoint formula, and the section formula for dividing a line segment in a given ratio. Each formula has a clean derivation from ideas you already know, and the worked examples build from straightforward substitution to multi-step problems where you combine all three tools together.

Objectives

  1. Calculate the distance between two points using the distance formula
  2. Find the coordinates of a point dividing a line in a given ratio

Lesson Note

Surveyors, architects, and game designers all need to answer the same basic question: how far apart are two points? On a coordinate grid, the answer comes straight from Pythagoras. Once you can measure distance, you can locate midpoints, divide segments in any ratio, and verify geometric properties with pure algebra.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Distance And Midpoints. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. What is the distance between the points (1, 2) and (4, 6)? A) 4 B) 5 C) 7 D) 25 Answer: B
  2. The midpoint of (3, -1) and (7, 5) is: A) (4, 4) B) (5, 2) C) (10, 4) D) (2, 3) Answer: B
  3. A point divides the segment from (0, 0) to (8, 12) in the ratio 1 : 3. What are its coordinates? A) (2, 3) B) (4, 6) C) (6, 9) D) (3, 4) Answer: A
  4. The distance between (-2, 3) and (4, -5) is: A) 8 B) 10 C) 14 D) 100 Answer: B
  5. If the midpoint of A(x, 4) and B(6, 10) is (5, 7), what is x? A) 2 B) 4 C) 5 D) 11 Answer: B

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
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Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

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