http://www.ck12.org Chapter 3. Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
3.11 Distance Between Parallel Lines
Here you’ll learn that the shortest distance between two parallel lines is the length of a perpendicular line between
them.
What if you were given two parallel lines? How could you find how far apart these two lines are? After completing
this Concept, you’ll be able to find the distance between parallel lines using the distance formula.
Watch This
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/52447CK-12 Foundation: Chapter3DistanceBetweenParallelLinesA
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/1337James Sousa: Determining the Distance Between Two Parallel Lines
Guidance
The shortest distance between two parallel lines is the length of the perpendicular segment between them. It doesn’t
matter which perpendicular line you choose, as long as the two points are on the lines. Recall that there are infinitely
many perpendicular lines between two parallel lines.