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How to Find the True Length of a Line

A line is a single dimensional geometrical figure that connects a set of endpoints. When you measure a line, you are actually measuring a segment between endpoints. If you take a high school or college algebra, geometry or calculus class, you may be required to determine the exact length of a line. The most precise way to measure the true length of a line is to use the distance formula. This formula uses data from the endpoints' coordinates.

Instructions

    • 1

      Write down the coordinates of the line's endpoints. The points will each have an x coordinate and a y coordinate. For example, you might have a line with the following endpoints: (1, 2) and (4, 6). The first coordinate is the x coordinate, and the second coordinate is the y coordinate.

    • 2

      Subtract the first x coordinate from the second x coordinate and square your answer. In this example, you would subtract 1 from 4 to get 3. Then you would multiply 3 times 3 to get 9.

    • 3

      Subtract the second y coordinate from the first y coordinate and square your answer. In this case, you would subtract 2 from 6 to get 4. Then multiply 4 times 4 to get 16.

    • 4

      Add your answers from steps two and three. In this example, you would add 16 and 9 to get 25.

    • 5

      Take the square root of your answer from step four to determine the true length of the line. In this case, you would take the square root of 25 to get 5 (since 5 times 5 equals 25). Therefore the length of the line would be 5 units.

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