Question 1150216
<pre>
Get one line in the form Ax+By+C=0

Find any point on the other line.

Use this formula:

The perpendicular distance from the point (x<sub>1</sub>,y<sub>1</sub>)
to the line Ax+By+C=0 is

{{{d=abs(Ax[1]+By[1]+C)/sqrt(A^2+B^2)}}}

y=3/8x+4
Multiply through by 8
8y=3x+32
0=3x-8y+32
3x-8y+32=0

A=3, B=-8, C=32

Pick any point on y=3/8x-5, say its y-intercept (0,-5)

{{{d=abs(3(0)-8(-5)+32)/sqrt(3^2+(-8)^2)}}}

{{{d=abs(0+40+32)/sqrt(9+64)}}}

{{{d=abs(72)/sqrt(73)}}}

{{{d=72/sqrt(73)}}}

Rationalize the denominator:

{{{d=72sqrt(73)/73}}}

Edwin</pre>