I Have Uh Question About Math - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Hollow · 11-14-2005, 07:25 PM

[begin square root symbol] (y2 - y1)² + (x2 - x1)² [end square root symbol]

ok.. why must it be (y2 - y1), why can't it just be (y1 - y2)? i know it doesn't matter which ordered pairs you plug into which x and y sets of the formula as long as the 1's and the 2's are in the right places accordingly, but why isn't it just (y1 - y2, since 1 comes before 2 numerically? it just makes a bit more sense...

Ireneparalegal · 11-14-2005, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

[begin square root symbol] (y2 - y1)² + (x2 - x1)² [end square root symbol]

ok.. why must it be (y2 - y1), why can't it just be (y1 - y2)? i know it doesn't matter which ordered pairs you plug into which x and y sets of the formula as long as the 1's and the 2's are in the right places accordingly, but why isn't it just (y1 - y2, since 1 comes before 2 numerically? it just makes a bit more sense...

Oh my head hurts...okay, do you plan on being a physicist or engineer or something like that? Why are you taking this kind of math!!??? just kidding. I hated this math in school.

~LadyJess~ · 11-14-2005, 07:31 PM

I've never thought of it that way, but that's a very good question. But I hate math and have just learned to accept what they tell me and get through the class without failing. After this semester I am done with math forever!

Hollow · 11-14-2005, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Oh my head hurts...okay, do you plan on being a physicist or engineer or something like that? Why are you taking this kind of math!!??? just kidding. I hated this math in school.

pissed:the pathagorean theorem? i've been using it since eighth grade.

Kazza · 11-14-2005, 08:29 PM

Oh the memories of Pitagoras and his theorem (I learned it in Spanish) You may need to wake up Pit and have a long talk with him about this pain in the @$$ :yuck:

robyrob · 11-14-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

[begin square root symbol] (y2 - y1)² + (x2 - x1)² [end square root symbol]

ok.. why must it be (y2 - y1), why can't it just be (y1 - y2)? i know it doesn't matter which ordered pairs you plug into which x and y sets of the formula as long as the 1's and the 2's are in the right places accordingly, but why isn't it just (y1 - y2, since 1 comes before 2 numerically? it just makes a bit more sense...

i think that it is because it is less complicated if the numbers in brackets are net positive values in each ordered pair - you are looking at the difference in values, if y2 is larger than y1 and x2 is larger than x1, then y2 - y1 and x2 - x1 each represent the difference, which easier to understand as a positive number

but, as you pointed out, it doesn't matter if either pair is positive or negative, they end up with the same result...

MsOrange · 11-14-2005, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i think that it is because it is less complicated if the numbers in brackets are net positive values in each ordered pair - you are looking at the difference in values, if y2 is larger than y1 and x2 is larger than x1, then y2 - y1 and x2 - x1 each represent the difference, which easier to understand as a positive number

but, as you pointed out, it doesn't matter if either pair is positive or negative, they end up with the same result...

... took the words right out of my mouth...

The Chauffeur · 11-14-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

... took the words right out of my mouth...

Just smile and nod

robyrob · 11-14-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsOrange

... took the words right out of my mouth...

ok let me try again,

YES - the numbers inside the brackets could be positive OR negative (2-1 = 1 OR 1-2 = -1) BUT it is less complicated if they are all positive numbers

in other words, the ONLY reason is for simplicity.

MsOrange · 11-14-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

ok let me try again,

YES - the numbers inside the brackets could be positive OR negative (2-1 = 1 OR 1-2 = -1) BUT it is less complicated if they are all positive numbers

in other words, the ONLY reason is for simplicity.

I know, I know... i was just kiddin' with ya... math is actually a strong point of mine. Of course, I can't make it sound pretty like you

MsOrange · 11-14-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chauffeur

Just smile and nod

David · 11-15-2005, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i think that it is because it is less complicated if the numbers in brackets are net positive values in each ordered pair - you are looking at the difference in values, if y2 is larger than y1 and x2 is larger than x1, then y2 - y1 and x2 - x1 each represent the difference, which easier to understand as a positive number

but, as you pointed out, it doesn't matter if either pair is positive or negative, they end up with the same result...

yeah, that's exactly what i was going to say. it works either way.

Karen* · 11-15-2005, 01:37 AM

I hate math!

Brent88 · 11-15-2005, 01:57 AM

Ugh... I HATED this kind of math.

Hollow · 11-15-2005, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i think that it is because it is less complicated if the numbers in brackets are net positive values in each ordered pair - you are looking at the difference in values, if y2 is larger than y1 and x2 is larger than x1, then y2 - y1 and x2 - x1 each represent the difference, which easier to understand as a positive number

but, as you pointed out, it doesn't matter if either pair is positive or negative, they end up with the same result...

oh..ok..i think i get it.

11-14-2005, 07:25 PM	#1
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,418	I Have Uh Question About Math [begin square root symbol] (y2 - y1)² + (x2 - x1)² [end square root symbol] ok.. why must it be (y2 - y1), why can't it just be (y1 - y2)? i know it doesn't matter which ordered pairs you plug into which x and y sets of the formula as long as the 1's and the 2's are in the right places accordingly, but why isn't it just (y1 - y2, since 1 comes before 2 numerically? it just makes a bit more sense...
	__________________ the artist formerly known as safety pin

11-14-2005, 07:31 PM	#3
~LadyJess~ Football Chick Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: At the Shamrock doing shots with Mo Posts: 8,260	I've never thought of it that way, but that's a very good question. But I hate math and have just learned to accept what they tell me and get through the class without failing. After this semester I am done with math forever!
	__________________ 8/26/05 Jessica & Anthony

11-15-2005, 01:37 AM	#13
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	I hate math!
	__________________ karen on \| twitter \| tumblr

11-15-2005, 01:57 AM	#14
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Ugh... I HATED this kind of math.
	__________________ Brent

11-14-2005, 08:29 PM	#5
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	Oh the memories of Pitagoras and his theorem (I learned it in Spanish) You may need to wake up Pit and have a long talk with him about this pain in the @$$ :yuck: