Perpendicular distance between two equations? (parallel)

In summary, to find the perpendicular distance between the equations y=2x-1 and y=2x - 8/3, you need to find the equation of a line perpendicular to both equations. This can be done by finding the slope of the perpendicular line, which is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given lines. Then, find the two points where this line crosses the given lines and calculate the distance between them. This will give you the perpendicular distance between the two equations.
  • #1
Dramacon
14
0

Homework Statement


Find the perpendicular distance between y=2x-1 and y=2x - 8/3


2. The attempt at a solution
The first equation hits the y-axis at -1 and the other at -8/3, which means the vertical (y axis) distance between them is 5/3, but to use trig, I need another piece of information...this is where I am stuck... please help? :)
 
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  • #2
Have you tried making a new line y_p perpendicular to both? The segment between the two y lines gives you your perpendicular distance.
 
  • #3
Perpendicular distance between two equations? This depends upon where they are written on the page.

Now, to be serious ...

What is the slope of any line that's perpendicular to these two lines?
 
  • #4
If SammyS hadn't beaten me to it, I would have said the same- "equations" are not geometric objects. You mean the distance between the two parallel lines that are the graphs, in a given coordinate system, of those two equations.

In any case, as both aeroplane and SammyS have said, find the equation of a line perpendicular to both lines. Find the two points where this third line crosses the two given lines and find the distance between those two points. Since that distance will be the same for any such perpendicular, you can choose whatever point you want for the line to go through.
 

FAQ: Perpendicular distance between two equations? (parallel)

1. What is the definition of "perpendicular distance between two equations"?

The perpendicular distance between two equations is the shortest distance between two lines that are perpendicular to each other. It is the distance between a point on one line and the closest point on the other line.

2. How is the perpendicular distance between two equations calculated?

The perpendicular distance between two equations can be calculated using the formula: d = |(ax1 + by1 + c)/√(a^2 + b^2)|, where (x1, y1) is a point on one line and a and b are the coefficients of the other line.

3. What does it mean for two equations to be perpendicular?

Two equations are perpendicular if they intersect at a right angle, or if the slope of one line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the other line. In other words, if the product of their slopes is -1, the two lines are perpendicular.

4. Can two equations be parallel and perpendicular at the same time?

No, two equations cannot be both parallel and perpendicular at the same time. If two lines are parallel, they have the same slope, and if they are perpendicular, their slopes are negative reciprocals of each other. These conditions cannot be met at the same time.

5. What is the significance of calculating the perpendicular distance between two equations?

Calculating the perpendicular distance between two equations is useful in many applications, such as finding the distance between two parallel roads, finding the shortest distance between a point and a line, or determining the closest distance between two objects. It is also an important concept in geometry and is used in various mathematical and scientific fields.

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