# Problem: Find the Point on the Line Closest to \((-5, -4)\)
To find the point on the line \( 5x + 3y - 4 = 0 \) that is closest to the point \((-5, -4)\), we'll follow these steps:
# Step 1: Find the Slope of the Given Line
The equation of the line is \( 5x + 3y - 4 = 0 \). Rewriting in slope-intercept form:
\[
3y = -5x + 4 \quad \Rightarrow \quad y = -\frac{5}{3}x + \frac{4}{3}
\]
The slope \( m_1 \) of the line is \( -\frac{5}{3} \).
#### Step 2: Find the Slope of the Perpendicular Line
The slope of the line perpendicular to this one, \( m_2 \), is the negative reciprocal of \( m_1 \):
\[
m_2 = \frac{3}{5}
\]
#### Step 3: Write the Equation of the Perpendicular Line
The perpendicular line passes through the point \((-5, -4)\) and has slope \( \frac{3}{5} \). Using the point-slope form:
\[
y + 4 = \frac{3}{5}(x + 5)
\]
Expanding:
\[
y + 4 = \frac{3}{5}x + 3 \quad \Rightarrow \quad y = \frac{3}{5}x - 1
\]
#### Step 4: Find the Intersection of the Two Lines
To find the intersection point of \( y = \frac{3}{5}x - 1 \) and \( 5x + 3y - 4 = 0 \):
Substitute \( y = \frac{3}{5}x - 1 \) into \( 5x + 3y - 4 = 0 \):
\[
5x + 3\left(\frac{3}{5}x - 1\right) - 4 = 0
\]
Simplifying:
\[
5x + \frac{9}{5}x - 7 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad 34x = 35 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = \frac{35}{34}
\]
#### Step 5: Find the Corresponding \( y \) Value
Substitute \( x = \frac{35}{34} \) into \( y = \frac{3}{5}x - 1 \):
\[
y = \frac{105}{170} - 1 = \frac{-65}{170} = -\frac{13}{34}
\]
### Final Answer
The point on the line \( 5x + 3y - 4 = 0 \) that is closest to the point \((-5, -4)\) is:
\[
\left(\frac{35}{34}, -\frac{13}{34}\right)
\]
Novalee S.
It is a lack of understanding. When I do my problems, I get 99 different versions of the problem that I can do if I want more practice. However, I do not understand how to do the problem at first. So I post the problem, then practice with the other attempts in order to learn how to do it. These I just use as an example.08/14/24