Is There a Simpler Proof for the Vector Distance Formula from a Point to a Line?

[linuspauling]

let P be a point NOT on line L that passes through points Q and R.

\vec{A} = QR

\vec{B} = QP

prove that distance from point P to anywhere on line L is
d = |\vec{A} x \vec{B}| divided by |\vec{A}|

so, I've tried doing the cross product after assigning variables for the A and B components. I ended up with a very tedious long multiplication of several variables, and I was wondering if there is an easier way to prove this formula.

 

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

Draw a picture of what is going on and note that |AxB| is the area of the parallelogram generated by A and B. It's also equal to |A||B|Sin(t) where t is the angle between A and B.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Of course the shortest distance from P to a line is along the line through P perpendicular to the line. You might start by finding the equation of a line through P perpendicular to \vec{QR}.