Distance Formula Implecations: Urgent!

Hello. As we all know, the distance formula is sqrt(sq(x2-x1) + sq(y2 - y1)). sq = square. Now, for some reason, this isn't at all working. Here is my code:

Code:

---

float distance(float x2, float y2)
{
  float distance = 0;
  static float x1 = 7, y1 = 2;
  distance = sq(x2 - x1) + sq(y2 - y1);
  distance = 4 * sq(distance) + 0.5;
  x1 = x2;
  y1 = y2;
  return distance;
}

---

Now I don't have the math.h libraries available (working with a special embedded system, using a special compiler) therefore I have no sqrt() availible, so i just squared it a second time. Assume all numbers are correct, because they are. But when I do something like: sqrt(sq(6-7) + sq(1-2)) which in my calculator comes out to 1.41421... but in my program comes out to -46.500000. Also I'm using printf("%f\n", distance) to print. I just don't understance what's wrong, any help would be much appreciated.

...and what's your sq( ) function?

Nevermind, fixed. Don't you hate that? Worked on it for 6 hours only to fix it in three minutes. :rolleyes:

How did you fix it?

You can use a power series to estimate distance or if you know the angle you are looking you can find the distance by

Code:

---

if (distx>disty)
{
  totaldist=distx/cos(angle);
} else totaldist=disty/sin(angle);

---

A little off the subject, but here's a neat way to approximate integer distance, if you don't care about precision. Saw this somewhere and simplified the shifting for my needs:

Code:

---

int fastdist(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2)
{
  int dx = abs(x2 - x1);
  int dy = abs(y2 - y1);

  if(dy > dx) {        // XOR swap function
    dx ^= dy;
    dy ^= dx;
    dx ^= dy;
  }

  return ((dx << 4) + (dx << 2) +
          (dy << 4) - (dy << 3)) >> 4;
}

---

Making the shifting more complex adds precision, without costing too much, but this was precise enough for the short pixel distances I was measuring. Haven't tried converting to fixed-point.

-Joe

Yes you can approximate distance via a power series, but it has an error of like 3 or 4 percent.