1. What is the Distance Formula?

The distance formula calculates the straight-line distance between two points in a coordinate plane. It's derived from the Pythagorean theorem and is essential for determining shipping distances to ports.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the distance formula:

Where:

• \( x_1, y_1 \) — Coordinates of point 1 (origin)
• \( x_2, y_2 \) — Coordinates of point 2 (destination port)

Explanation: The formula calculates the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle formed by the differences in x and y coordinates.

3. Importance of Distance Calculation

Details: Accurate distance calculation is crucial for shipping logistics, fuel estimation, route planning, and cost calculations in maritime transport.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coordinates of both points in the same coordinate system (latitude/longitude or cartesian). The calculator accepts decimal values for precise calculations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What coordinate system should I use?
A: The calculator works with any Cartesian coordinate system. For geographic coordinates, convert to a projected coordinate system first.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise for straight-line distances on a flat plane. For Earth's curvature, use great-circle distance formulas.

Q3: Can I use latitude/longitude directly?
A: For small distances (under 20km), you can approximate. For larger distances, convert to a projected coordinate system or use haversine formula.

Q4: What units does the calculator use?
A: The units depend on your input coordinates. If using degrees, result will be in degrees. For meters in/meters out, use a metric coordinate system.

Q5: How does this relate to actual shipping distance?
A: This gives straight-line distance. Actual shipping routes may be longer due to navigational constraints, currents, or port approaches.