4.4.6 Distance Between Two Parallel Lines

The Formula

For parallel lines ax+by+c1=0ax + by + c_1 = 0 and ax+by+c2=0ax + by + c_2 = 0:

Distance=c1c2a2+b2\text{Distance} = \frac{|c_1 - c_2|}{\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}}

Tip: The line equation is usually a Pythagorean triple (3-4-5, 5-12-13) to simplify the calculation. You don’t need to move constants to exactly match the formula since you’re taking absolute values.


Problem Set 4.4.6

Practice these problems. Type your answer and press Enter to check:

Dist: 3x−4y=8 and 3x−4y=3
Dist: 3x+4y=−1 and 3x+4y=6
Dist: 5x+12y=2 and 5x+12y=9
Dist: 3x+4y=9 and 3x+4y=−1
Dist: 3x−4y=7 and 3x−4y=10
Dist: √2x+√7y=2 and √2x+√7y=5
Dist: √11x+√5y=5 and √11x+√5y=−2
Dist: √2x+√7y=23 and √2x+√7y=2