The length of the vertical leg is the numerator of the slope change in y the rise and the length of the horizontal leg is the denominator of the slope change in x the run. Imagine approximating the curve with a bunch of tiny straight lines. Subtract the other y-coordinate from the dominant y-coordinate and subtract the other x-coordinate from the dominant x-coordinate.
Let P 1 1 4 and P 2 5 1 Substitute these values into the distance formula.
If we divide this curve into three line-segments we can see that they become more and more similar to the original curve. Tour Start here for a quick overview of the site Help Center Detailed answers to any questions you might have Meta Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Find two points on the line and draw a slope triangle connecting the two points. Label the legs of the triangle.