document.write( "Question 1020098: Find the distance between the point (-3,1) and the line y = -x+4. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); 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?
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Algebra.Com's Answer #636050 by Cromlix(4381)\"\" \"About 
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 :-)
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