Distance Between Line and Point Calculator

Shortest Distance: - units

Projection Point: -

Parameter t: -

Understanding Line-Point Distance

What is Line-Point Distance?

The shortest distance between a line and a point is the length of the perpendicular line from the point to the line.

d = ||(Q - P₀) × v|| / ||v||

Projection Point = P₀ + tv

where:

  • P₀ is a point on the line
  • v is the direction vector
  • Q is the external point
  • t = (Q - P₀)·v / (v·v)
  • × denotes cross product
  • · denotes dot product

Vector Analysis Concepts

  • Vector Operations:
    • Cross Product: Direction perpendicular
    • Dot Product: Scalar projection
    • Vector Normalization
    • Parametric Equations
  • Geometric Properties:
    • Perpendicularity
    • Vector Projection
    • Line Parameterization
    • Distance Minimization

Applications and Extensions

Computer Graphics

Ray-object intersection

Robotics

Path planning

CAD Systems

Design optimization

Physics

Particle trajectories