Key Concepts: Perpendiculars and Distance

Perpendicular Lines

Two lines are perpendicular if they intersect at right angles (90°). The shortest distance from a Point to a Line is always along the perpendicular segment.

Distance from a Point to a Line

The distance from a Point to a Line is measured along the perpendicular segment from the Point to the Line. This is the shortest distance.

Distance Between Parallel Lines

The distance between two parallel lines is the length of the perpendicular segment between them. This distance is constant everywhere.

Perpendicular Bisector

A perpendicular bisector of a segment is a Line perpendicular to the segment at its midpoint. Any Point on the perpendicular bisector is equidistant from the endpoints.