Definition:Perpendicular Distance

Definition

Let $\LL$ be a straight line.

Let $P$ be a point not on $\LL$.

Let a perpendicular be dropped from $P$ to $\LL$, intersecting $\LL$ at $A$.

The perpendicular distance from $P$ to $\LL$ is defined as being the length of the line $AP$.

Also see

• Perpendicular through Given Point
• Perpendicular is Shortest Straight Line from Point to Straight Line

Sources

• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): perpendicular distance