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Find the distance from line L to point P for each of the following: Line L contains points (-5,3) and (4,-6). Point P(2,4)

User Rmdroid
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1 Answer

2 votes

Answer and Step-by-step explanation in one:

(4+9)/(-2-1) = 13/-3 = -13/3

y=-13x/3 + b

4=26/3 + b

b = 4-26/3 = (12-26)/3 = -14/3

y=-13x/3 -14/3 is the line through the two given points

find the line perpendicular and through (14,-6)

y=3x/13 + b, plug in the point to find b

-6 = 3(14)/13 + b

b = -6 -42/13 = -78/13 - 42/13 = -120/3

y= 3x/13 - 120/13

find the intersection point of the two lines, set them equal

3x/13 -120/13 = -13x/3 - 14/3

multiply by 39

9x - 360 = -169x - 182

178x = 360-182 = 178

x = 1

y= -27/3=-9

the point is (1,-9)

calculate the distance from (1,-9) to (14,-6)

d^2 = 9+169 = 178

d = sqr178 = about 13.34

User Ela Dute
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