How do we calculate distance?

To calculate distance from two endpoints, you use the formula:

Distance Formula:


Example: Find distance between the two points : (-1,-2) and (9,-10)
1st step :use the distance formula

2nd step : square root* of (-1-9)^2+ (-2-(-10))^2
3rd step: square root of (-10)^2+(8)^2
4th step: square root of 100+64
5th step: square root of 164
6th step: 2 square root of 41
*square root:

Resources:
http://0.tqn.com/d/math/1/0/A/1/distance.gif
http://www.moomoomath.com/distance.jpg

Can you use this distance formula to calculate distances in shapes?