Difference between revisions of "Distance formula"
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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 21:37, 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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