Question

Find the distance from G(-3, -1) to the line whose equation is y = 4. How would I do this problem.

Answer 1

we have to find the shortest distance?

Answer 2

no just the distance its multiple choice and these are the options
3
2
5
4

Answer 3

if we have to find the shortest distance if you graph this onto a graph paper you will directly see what to do.

the shortest distance from a point to any line is always the perpendicular to the line going through the point.

so in this case the shortest distance from (-3,-1) is perpendicular to y = 4. So any line that is perpendicular to y = 4 must have the equation x = ... right?

so from here we can see that since we have to go through the point (-3, -1) we can just say that the equation of the line will be x = -3.

so now if you graph x = -3 you will see that the line x = -3 intersects the line y = 4 at point (-3, 4)

so then the shortest distance from the point (-3,-1) to (-3,4) is 5 units straight upwards.

Answer 4

makes sense?

Answer 5

thank you so much

Answer 6

is there any way to do this without graph paper

Answer 7

well you don't need to have graph paper. if you just plot it out roughly you will see exactly what to do.

Answer 8

ok thamks

Answer 9

thanks