1. What is the Distance Formula?

The distance formula calculates the straight-line distance between two points in a 2D plane. This calculator converts the result from meters to miles (1 mile = 1609.34 meters).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the distance formula:

Where:

• \( x_1, y_1 \) — Coordinates of first point (meters)
• \( x_2, y_2 \) — Coordinates of second point (meters)
• 1609.34 — Conversion factor from meters to miles

Explanation: The formula calculates the Euclidean distance between two points and converts it from meters to miles.

3. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: Distance calculations are fundamental in navigation, mapping, logistics, and many scientific applications. Converting between units (like meters to miles) is essential for international collaboration and different measurement systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter coordinates in meters for both points. The calculator accepts decimal values for precise calculations. Negative values are allowed for coordinates.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use this for GPS coordinates?
A: No, this is for Cartesian coordinates. For GPS (latitude/longitude), you would need the Haversine formula.

Q2: Why is the result in miles?
A: The calculator automatically converts from meters to miles, which is commonly used in the United States.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise for the given coordinates, assuming a flat plane (not accounting for Earth's curvature).

Q4: Can I calculate 3D distances with this?
A: No, this is for 2D coordinates only. For 3D, you would need to add a z-coordinate component.

Q5: What's the maximum distance this can calculate?
A: There's no theoretical maximum, but for very large distances (over 100km), Earth's curvature becomes significant.