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# Distance Between Parallel Lines

## Length of a perpendicular segment between them.

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Distance Between Parallel Lines

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 two vertical lines, two horizontal lines, and two non-vertical, non-horizontal parallel lines using the perpendicular slope.

### Watch This

CK-12 Finding The Distance Between Parallel Lines

James Sousa: Determining the Distance Between Two Parallel Lines

### Guidance

All vertical lines are in the form , where a is the intercept. To find the distance between two vertical lines, count the squares between the two lines. You can use this method for horizontal lines as well. All horizontal lines are in the form , where is the intercept.

In general, the shortest distance between two parallel lines is the length of a perpendicular segment between them. There are infinitely many perpendicular segments between two parallel lines, but they will all be the same length.

Remember that distances are always positive!

#### Example A

Find the distance between and .

The two lines are 3 – (-5) units apart, or 8 units apart.

#### Example B

Find the distance between and .

The two lines are 5 – (-8) units apart, or 13 units apart.

#### Example C

Find the distance between and .

Step 1: Find the perpendicular slope.

, so

Step 2: Find the intercept of the top line, . (0, 6)

Step 3: Use the slope and count down 1 and to the right 1 until you hit .

Always rise/run the same amount for or -1.

Step 4: Use these two points in the distance formula to determine how far apart the lines are.

CK-12 Finding The Distance Between Parallel Lines

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### Guided Practice

1. Find the distance between and .

2. Find the distance between and .

3. Find the distance between and .

1. Step 1: Find the perpendicular slope.

, so

Step 2: Find the intercept of the top line, . (0, -1)

Step 3: Use the slope and count down 1 and to the left 1 until you hit .

Step 4: Use these two points in the distance formula to determine how far apart the lines are.

2. The two lines are 2 – (-4) units apart, or 6 units apart.

3. The two lines are -5 – (-10) units apart, or 5 units apart.

### Explore More

Use each graph below to determine how far apart each pair of parallel lines is.

Determine the shortest distance between the each pair of parallel lines. Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.

Find the distance between the given parallel lines.

### Answers for Explore More Problems

To view the Explore More answers, open this PDF file and look for section 3.11.

### Vocabulary Language: English

Distance Formula

Distance Formula

The distance between two points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ can be defined as $d= \sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2}$.
Perpendicular

Perpendicular

Perpendicular lines are lines that intersect at a $90^{\circ}$ angle. The product of the slopes of two perpendicular lines is -1.