How do you calculate distance traveled using positioning?

Answer by  cubedbee (155)

In three dimensions, if the starting position is (X1, Y1, Z1) and the ending position is (X2, Y2, Z2) then the distance traveled is square root of [(X1-X2)^2 + (Y1-Y2)^2 + (Z1-Z2)^2]. If your problem is only in two dimensions, then Z1 and Z2 can both be set to equal 0 and this same equation will work.

Answer by  willard (874)

The distance between two points located at coordinates r1 =(a,b,c) and r2=(x,y,z) is given by the formula distance = square root of ( (x-a)^2 +(y-b)^2 + (z-c)^2). This result is related to the Pythagorean theorem. One may alsp write this distance as an inner product of the difference between the two position vectors r1 and r2.

Answer by  StudioMesh (12)

I will first determine the starting point and ending point. Then measure the distance between the two points. If I am in a car/vehicle, I will reset the odometer before starting the trip. And once I reach the end point the odometer will reveal the distance traveled.