1. What is Slope Distance?

Slope distance is the straight-line distance between two points in three-dimensional space. It represents the actual distance "as the crow flies" between the points, accounting for differences in all three coordinates (x, y, and z).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3D distance formula:

Where:

• \( x_1, y_1, z_1 \) — Coordinates of the first point
• \( x_2, y_2, z_2 \) — Coordinates of the second point

Explanation: This formula extends the Pythagorean theorem to three dimensions, calculating the straight-line distance between two points in 3D space.

3. Applications of Slope Distance Calculation

Details: Slope distance calculations are essential in surveying, engineering, architecture, 3D modeling, navigation, and various scientific fields where precise spatial measurements are required.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coordinates for both points in meters. The calculator will compute the straight-line distance between them. All coordinate values should be in the same unit system.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between slope distance and horizontal distance?
A: Slope distance is the straight-line 3D distance between points, while horizontal distance is the projection of that distance onto a horizontal plane, ignoring elevation differences.

Q2: Can I use this for geographic coordinates?
A: This calculator uses Cartesian coordinates. For geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude), you would need to use the haversine formula which accounts for Earth's curvature.

Q3: What if I only have 2D coordinates?
A: If you only have x and y coordinates, set z1 and z2 to 0 to calculate the 2D Euclidean distance.

Q4: How precise are the calculations?
A: The calculator provides results with up to 4 decimal places, suitable for most engineering and surveying applications.

Q5: Can negative coordinates be used?
A: Yes, the formula works with both positive and negative coordinate values as it uses squared differences.