Question

Find the distance the point P(-1,7,7) is to the line through the two points
Q(-1,5,3), and R(-2,2,6)

Answer 1

you may want to plot the points to "see" them better
use the distance formula to find the length of the lines

Answer 2

i plotted the points but its hard for me to visualize in 3d, even after plotting them

Answer 3

@ganeshie8 will you please help, didn't realize this has 3 coordinates

Answer 4

Oh I think I need to find midpoint between Q and R and then use distance formula to the midpoint!! maybe, trying now

Answer 5

@billj5 same principle but not the best person for 3 coordinates, sorry

Answer 6

@triciaal actually I don't think the midpoint matters :(

Answer 7

@Hero pleasehelp

Answer 8

@triciaal thank you :)

Answer 9

still don't have it yet

Answer 10

trying to get you some help from people whose work I trust

Answer 11

I really appreciate that

Answer 12

i think jim went off already

Answer 13

ah no problem, thanks for the help, I will check back later or tomorrow

Answer 14

I'm assuming this question means the shortest distance but not sure.

Answer 15

hey still stuck on this ?

Answer 16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wznbg_aKOo

Answer 17

@ganeshie8 Thank you for the video, I'm still not getting it.

Answer 18

still looking for help ?

Answer 19

@rational yes

Answer 20

familiar with cross product ?

Answer 21

yes, I have done a few

Answer 22

you must be knowing that the magnitude of cross product of two vectors gives the area of parallelogram made by those two vectors ?

Answer 23

yes

Answer 24

and 1/2 of that is the area of a triangle

Answer 25

can we say |QR x QP| is the area of parallelogram formed by vectors QR and QP ?

Answer 26

ah yes, I don't really understand why but I know that formula

Answer 27

so I need height which is |a| sin $$\theta$$?