The answer depends on the grid. On the taxicab grid, which was studied by Minkowski, the distance is the sum of the vertical and horizontal distances between a and b. See, for example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicab_geometry
If, a and b have horizontal and vertical coordinates which are, respectively, (xa, ya) and (xb, yb) then the grid distance is abs(xa - ya) + abs(xb - yb).
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The answer depends on where A and B are.
Which point is not located on the xaxis or the yaxis of a coordinate grid?Read more:Which_point_is_not_located_on_the_xaxis_or_the_yaxis_of_a_coordinate_grid
Assuming the line A to B is straight ahead, and perpendicular to the line A to C : A to B is 100 yds, A to C is 50 yds. If C is directly to the right of A, you have a right-angle triangle. The distance from C to B is the hypotenuse. To find the hypotenuse of a right-angle triangle, use the formula A² + B² = C². Using the formula: A² + B² = C² 50² + 100² = C² 2500 + 10000 = C² 12500 = C² sq rt of 12500 = C 111.80339 = C (The distance from point C to point B is 111.80339 yards)
There are several different metrics. The most common is the Euclidean or Pythagorean distance where if P = (a, b) and Q = (c, d) are two points in the Cartesian plane then the distance between then is sqrt[(a - c)^2 + (b - d)^2)]. Another metric is the Minkovski or taxicab measure, based on a grid structure of roads. Since you cannot travel "cross country", the distance would be |a - c|+ |b - d|.