Actually, this application doesn't just apply to distance; it can be anything with orthogonal dimensions: space, time, temperature, colors, a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g.

Don't worry, the language is not terribly complicated, even for the non-mathematically-inclined layperson. I found it to be an interesting read, if only to show that all the math I took in high school still has relevance to my life today. :)