how do i find the minimum distance between the point (-8, -1) and the line y= -5

Question

 need to find minimum distance 

 

Answer 1

The minimum distance will be a straight line from point (-8, -1) to the

line y = -5.

 

y = -5 is a horizontal line 5 units below the x-axis.

A straight vertical line  from (-8, -1) to the line y=-5 will

cross at the point (-8, -5)

 

The minimum distance is the distance from (-8, -1) to (-8, -5).

d = √[(x₂-x₁)² + (y₂-y₁)²]

 

d = √[(-8-(-8))²+(-1-(-5))²] = √4² = 4