<p>The way some of you are thinking can’t really be argued. You can basically say that the distance from point P (or whatever letter it was) and line L is between 4 and infinity. But if it really didn’t say shortest distance to the line (can’t remember if it did), then collegeboard should erase the problem.</p>
<p>i also thought the question was little vague.
however, the line L was parallel to the upper one since it formed 90 degrees with it
(it was shown in the diagram)
so its most likely 4.</p>
<p>take it from a guy who’s gotten an 800 on this before lol</p>
<p>"The question DID ask for shortest distance >>></p>
<p>And the right angles were marked… Either that or they said it was parallel, in which you can imply right angle if one is drawn"</p>
<p>The question clearly DID NOT ask for shortest distance.
However, they did give you 2 right angles which means that the lines ARE INDEED parallel to each other which means that the distance could also be gotten by measuring vertically down.
With this being said, the answer is definitely 4.</p>
<p>Okay guys… who remembers geometry class? :D</p>
<p>If you don’t, look up the definition for distance from a point to a line.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter whether it said shortest distance or not. The answer is still the same.</p>
<p>Does anyone remember whether this distance question appears at the beginning of the section? If it does, then everything is transparently clear now.</p>
<p>From my part, I strongly believe that 4 is the correct answer!</p>
<p>I put 4 too, is this question in the experimental section though?</p>
<p>It’s definitely 4.</p>
<p>In geometry, the distance from a point to a line is ALWAYS the perpendicular distance (i.e. shortest). The question didn’t ask for shortest distance specifically, but that didn’t change the answer. Gruber’s confirms my answer and so does my old geometry textbook.</p>
<p>Yes, this the answer is 4. Shortest distance is “distance”.</p>
<p>haha let me tell you guys a story.</p>
<p>on the march 2009 test, there was a fill-in question about the distance from a point to a line. i wasn’t awake enough to realize that they asked for the shortest distance. i used law of sines and crazy **** and i got it wrong. 790 math.</p>
<p>this time, i saw the question, and i immediately said it was 4. there’s honestly no question… the thought process going on in this argument would be similar to this:</p>
<p>how many miles did the man walk if he walked north 7 miles then south 10 miles? the answer is clearly 17, BUT WHAT IF HE WENT TO GET A SNACK!!! IT COULD BE 24!!! … no, simply put.</p>
<p>i do agree that it was a little ambiguous, but come on. use the brainpower u have.</p>
<p>einnob, it’s not experimental; I had 4 critical readings.</p>
<p>If it isn’t 4 (the shortest possible distance), then all the answers greater than 4 are right. </p>
<p>The answer could be 4, 5, 6 7 then depending on how you draw the line from the point to the line…</p>