Shortest distance between a line and a point?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the shortest distance from the origin (0,0) to a line defined by two points, A(2,3) and B(3,5). The problem involves concepts from geometry and algebra, particularly the equations of lines and distances in a coordinate plane.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants describe the process of determining the line equation from points A and B, calculating the slope, and finding the perpendicular line from the origin. There are questions regarding the correctness of the intersection point and the distance calculation.

Discussion Status

Multiple participants have pointed out potential mistakes in the calculations, particularly regarding the intersection of the lines and the interpretation of algebraic expressions. There is a recognition of errors, but no consensus on a corrected approach has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight ambiguities in the algebraic expressions used, which may lead to misinterpretation. The original poster expresses confusion over the correctness of their answer, indicating a need for clarification on the calculations involved.

Helly123
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Homework Statement


find the shortest distance from (0,0) to the line passing A(2,3) and B(3,5)

Homework Equations


## \frac{y-y1}{y2-y1} = \frac{x-x1}{x2-x1} ##
y-y1 = m (x-x1)
m1 * m2 = -1 (m1 perpendicular to m2)

The Attempt at a Solution


line passing A and B points
## \frac{y-3}{5-3} ## = ## \frac{x-2}{3-2} ##
y-3 = 2(x-2)
y = 2x - 1

m1 = 2
m2 = -1/2

the line perpendicular to line 1 and passing (0,0)
y -y1 = m(x-x1)
y-0=-1/2(x-0)
y' = -1/2x'

line 1 and line 2 intersect at (x,y)
y = y', x = x'
2x - 1 = -1/2x'
3/2x = 1
x = 2/3

y' = -1/2'x = -1/2(2/3) = -1/3

x,y = 2/3 , -1/3

distance is from (0,0) to (2/3 , -1/3)
distance = ## \sqrt{(2/3-0)^2 + (-1/3-0)^2} ##
distance = ## \sqrt{4/9 + 1/9} ##
distance = ## \sqrt{5}/3 ##

what's wrong? I got wrong answer
 
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Helly123 said:

Homework Statement


find the shortest distance from (0,0) to the line passing A(2,3) and B(3,5)

Homework Equations


## \frac{y-y1}{y2-y1} = \frac{x-x1}{x2-x1} ##
y-y1 = m (x-x1)
m1 * m2 = -1 (m1 perpendicular to m2)

The Attempt at a Solution


line passing A and B points
## \frac{y-3}{5-3} ## = ## \frac{x-2}{3-2} ##
y-3 = 2(x-2)
y = 2x - 1

m1 = 2
m2 = -1/2

the line perpendicular to line 1 and passing (0,0)
y -y1 = m(x-x1)
y-0=-1/2(x-0)
y' = -1/2x'

line 1 and line 2 intersect at (x,y)
y = y', x = x'
2x - 1 = -1/2x
3/2x = 1
x = 2/3

y' = -1/2'x = -1/2(2/3) = -1/3

x,y = 2/3 , -1/3

distance is from (0,0) to (2/3 , -1/3)
distance = ## \sqrt{(2/3-0)^2 + (-1/3-0)^2} ##
distance = ## \sqrt{4/9 + 1/9} ##
distance = ## \sqrt{5}/3 ##

what's wrong? I got wrong answer
The red line.
 
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Helly123 said:

Homework Statement


find the shortest distance from (0,0) to the line passing A(2,3) and B(3,5)

Homework Equations


## \frac{y-y1}{y2-y1} = \frac{x-x1}{x2-x1} ##
y-y1 = m (x-x1)
m1 * m2 = -1 (m1 perpendicular to m2)

The Attempt at a Solution


line passing A and B points
## \frac{y-3}{5-3} ## = ## \frac{x-2}{3-2} ##
y-3 = 2(x-2)
y = 2x - 1

m1 = 2
m2 = -1/2

the line perpendicular to line 1 and passing (0,0)
y -y1 = m(x-x1)
y-0=-1/2(x-0)
y' = -1/2x'

line 1 and line 2 intersect at (x,y)
y = y', x = x'
2x - 1 = -1/2x'
3/2x = 1
x = 2/3

y' = -1/2'x = -1/2(2/3) = -1/3

x,y = 2/3 , -1/3

distance is from (0,0) to (2/3 , -1/3)
distance = ## \sqrt{(2/3-0)^2 + (-1/3-0)^2} ##
distance = ## \sqrt{4/9 + 1/9} ##
distance = ## \sqrt{5}/3 ##

what's wrong? I got wrong answer
Simply an Algebra mistake. Highlighted in red.

If you graph the line ##\ y=2x-1\ ##, you will notice that the point (2/3, −1/3) does not lie on the line.
 
Last edited:
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Helly123 said:
y' = -1/2x'
.
.
.
2x - 1 = -1/2x'
3/2x = 1
@ehild already pointed out the mistake in the last line above. In addition, the three lines I picked out above are ambiguous, as -1/2x' might be interpreted as ##-\frac{1}{2x'}## by some when you probably meant ##-\frac{1}2 x'##. The same goes for 3/2x.
 
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thank you for all the corrections... :)
 
Helly123 said:
thank you for all the corrections... :)
What's your answer now?
 
SammyS said:
What's your answer now?
(1/5) ##\sqrt5##
 
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