- #1
jesuslovesu
- 198
- 0
Homework Statement
Use the scalar projection to show that a distance from a point P(x1, y1) to the line ax + by + c = 0 is
[tex]\frac{ax1 + by1 + c}{\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}}[/tex]
Homework Equations
scalar projection = [tex]\frac{a . b}{|a|}[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
The first thing that I did was to say that b = (x1,y1). Unfortunately I'm having a difficult time coming up with a vector for the line. Honestly,, I am having a hard time visualizing how the scalar projection would yield the distance between a point and the line. Does anyone know what I should do to start?