# Thread:

1. ## Finding Distances - Please help

Find the distance from the point P(3,5) to the line x= -2

I'd greatly appreciate your help. Thanks.

2. By this, I assume you need to find the shortest distance to the line. Personally, I would simple draw it, connect the dots, and count.

3. could you explain, since x= -2 is a vertical line that is undefined?

4. Imagine a point anywhere, except on the line x = -2. Then that point's shortest path to the line x = -2 is a horizontal line whose length is the absolute value of the difference between this point's x-coordinate and -2.

Here you have the point (3, 5), whose x-coordinate is 3. The corresponding shortest distance to the line x = -2 is then $|3-(-2)| = |5| = 5$.

I know a picture is worth a thousand words but I don't know how to make pictures of graphs.

EDIT: Note this distance would be the same regardless of the value of y.

5. Every point on the line x=-2 is 2 units from the y-axis.
How far is the point (3,5) from the y-axis?
Now put then together.
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