document.write( "Question 1020098: Find the distance between the point (-3,1) and the line y = -x+4. \r
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document.write( "I know first I must find the equation of the perpendicular line, and I get y = -x-2. Then, I must find the point of intersection. In order to do this I know I must set both equations equal to one another as shown here: -x+4 = -x-2. This is where I get stuck. Could you please help me? \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #636050 by Cromlix(4381)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Hi there, \n" ); document.write( "If your line => y = -x + 4 \n" ); document.write( "Two lines that are perpendicular \n" ); document.write( "to one another have gradients (slopes) \n" ); document.write( "that multiply together to give -1 \n" ); document.write( "m1 x m2 = -1 \n" ); document.write( "If your original line has a gradient \n" ); document.write( "of -1 the line perpendicular to it \n" ); document.write( "would have a gradient of 1 \n" ); document.write( "-1 x m2 = -1 \n" ); document.write( "m2 = -1/-1 \n" ); document.write( "m2 = 1 \n" ); document.write( "Using the line equation \n" ); document.write( "y - b = m(x - a) \n" ); document.write( "with m = 1 \n" ); document.write( "(a,b) = (-3, 1) \n" ); document.write( "y - 1 = 1(x - (-3)) \n" ); document.write( "y - 1 = x + 3 \n" ); document.write( "y = x + 3 + 1 \n" ); document.write( "y = x + 4 \n" ); document.write( "Using simultaneous equations: \n" ); document.write( "y = -x + 4......(1) \n" ); document.write( "y = x + 4.......(2) \n" ); document.write( "Rearrange \n" ); document.write( "y + x = 4........(1) \n" ); document.write( "y - x = 4........(2) \n" ); document.write( "Add (1) + (2) \n" ); document.write( "2y = 8 \n" ); document.write( "y = 4 \n" ); document.write( "Substitute y = 4 into (1) \n" ); document.write( "y + x = 4 \n" ); document.write( "4 + x = 4 \n" ); document.write( "x = 4 - 4 \n" ); document.write( "x = 0 \n" ); document.write( "Point of intersection - {0,4) \n" ); document.write( "Distance between (0,4) and (-3,1) \n" ); document.write( "√(x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2 \n" ); document.write( "√(-3 - 0)^2 + (1 - 4)^2 \n" ); document.write( "√(9) + (9) \n" ); document.write( "√18 \n" ); document.write( "= 4.2 units \n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps :-) \n" ); document.write( " |