The distance between two points in a plane can be calculated using the distance formula derived from the Pythagorean theorem. For any two points, say (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the distance (d) can be expressed as:
d = √((x2 – x1)2 + (y2 – y1)2)
This formula essentially forms a right triangle where the difference in x-coordinates and the difference in y-coordinates are the two legs, and the distance between the points is the hypotenuse. By squaring the lengths of the legs, adding them together, and then taking the square root, you can find the shortest distance between the two points.