Question

Find the distance from (-6,-1) to the line defined by y= -2x-8

Answer 1

A line with slope 1/2 will be perpendicular to your line. Find the line of slope 1/2 that passes through (-6, -1). Then find where this line intersects your original line. Then use the distance formula to find the distance between the intersection point and (-6, -1)

Answer 2

I don;t get it..

Answer 3

Here is a picture. You see that the shortest distance is the one between your point and the interesction between your original line and a perpendicular line passing through that point.

Your goal is to first find the equation of the perpendicular line. Then find where it intersects your original line. Then the distance between the point of intersection and your original point is the shortest distance