Answer
The way to solve this equation can be described in 3 steps:
1. Find the equation for the perpendicular line.
2. Find the intersection.
3. Use the distance formula.
Work Step by Step
We are asked to provide the steps needed to find the distance from the point (a,b) to the line.
1. Find the equation for the perpendicular line. We know that the perpendicular line has a slope of -1/m, where m is the slope of the original line. Then, use point slope form for the new line, using (a,b) as the point on the line.
2. Now, find the intersection point between the new lines.
3. We know that the distance between the intersection point and the point (a,b). Do this using the distance formula.
