Theorem 3.6: The shortest distance from a point to a line is the perpendicular distance.

 

Proof: Let P be a point not on the line, and let F be its foot in the line. Let A be any other point on the line.

Let

a = |PF|

b = |FA|

c = |PA|

Then by the Pythagorean theorem, Theorem 3.4,

next theorem (3.7)