Difference between revisions of "Distance formula"
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− | The '''distance formula''' is a direct application of the [[Pythagorean Theorem]] in the setting of a [[Cartesian coordinate system]]. In the two-dimensional case, it says that the distance between two [[point]]s <math>P_1 = (x_1, y_1)</math> and <math>P_2 = (x_2, y_2)</math> is given by <math>d = \sqrt{(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2}</math>. In the <math>n</math>-dimensional case, the distance between <math>(a_1,a_2,...,a_n)</math> and <math>(b_1,b_2,...,b_n)</math> is <math>\sqrt{(a_1-b_1)^2+(a_2-b_2)^2+\cdots+(a_n-b_n)^2}</math> | + | The '''distance formula''' is a direct application of the [[Pythagorean Theorem]] in the setting of a [[Cartesian coordinate system]]. In the two-dimensional case, it says that the distance between two [[point]]s <math>P_1 = (x_1, y_1)</math> and <math>P_2 = (x_2, y_2)</math> is given by <math>d = \sqrt{(x_1 - x_2)^2 + (y_1 - y_2)^2}</math>. In the <math>n</math>-dimensional case, the distance between <math>(a_1,a_2,...,a_n)</math> and <math>(b_1,b_2,...,b_n)</math> is <math>\sqrt{(a_1-b_1)^2+(a_2-b_2)^2+\cdots+(a_n-b_n)^2}</math>. |
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===Proof=== | ===Proof=== | ||
− | The equation <math>ax + by + c = 0</math> can be written as <math>y = -\dfrac{a}{b}x - \dfrac{c}{ | + | The equation <math>ax + by + c = 0</math> can be written as <math>y = -\dfrac{a}{b}x - \dfrac{c}{b}</math> |
Thus, the perpendicular line through <math>(x_1,y_1)</math> is: | Thus, the perpendicular line through <math>(x_1,y_1)</math> is: | ||
<cmath>\dfrac{x-x_1}{a}=\dfrac{y-y_1}{b}=\dfrac{t}{\sqrt{a^2+b^2}}</cmath> | <cmath>\dfrac{x-x_1}{a}=\dfrac{y-y_1}{b}=\dfrac{t}{\sqrt{a^2+b^2}}</cmath> |
Latest revision as of 20:37, 1 August 2024
The distance formula is a direct application of the Pythagorean Theorem in the setting of a Cartesian coordinate system. In the two-dimensional case, it says that the distance between two points and is given by . In the -dimensional case, the distance between and is .
Shortest distance from a point to a line
the distance between the line and point is
Proof
The equation can be written as Thus, the perpendicular line through is: where is the parameter.
will be the distance from the point along the perpendicular line to . So and
This meets the given line , where:
, so:
Therefore the perpendicular distance from to the line is:
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