Processing math: 12%

Vector Equations of Lines 3

Find the distance of the point A(-3,1) to the line
\displaystyle{\vec{r}=\begin{bmatrix}1\\2\end{bmatrix}+\lambda \begin{bmatrix}-2\\3\end{bmatrix}}

using the method outlined below.

  1. Find an expression for an arbitrary point D on the given line.
  2. Using the expression you’ve produced, find a general expression for the vector \overrightarrow{AD}.
  3. Where \vec{b} is the direction vector of the given line, use the dot product \overrightarrow{AD}\cdot\vec{b} to find the coordinates of the point on the line closest to A. Hence, find the distance from A to the line.

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