The problem
Let
,
and
be the position vectors of the points A, B and C respectively,
and L be the line passing through A and B.
Find the shortest distance from C to L.
Method 1 By Pythagoras Theorem
The vector equation of the line, L, which passes through A and B:
A unit vector along AB :
Let D be the foot of the perpendicular from C to L. Then
and |AC| = Ö14
\The shortest distance from C to AB = CD