Find distance of point (3, 0) from line y = 1/2x + 1

[celebrityrose000]

Find the distance of the point (3,0) from the line

y=1/2x+1

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Do I have to find the equation for a line perpendicular to this one in order to solve the problem?

If so I think the slope of the line would be 2. So y=2x+b......but I don't know how to get the b value (or the y-intercept). And I'm just confused about how to set this problem up to solve for it.

[Subhotosh Khan]

Find the distance of the point (3,0) from the line

y=1/2x+1

----------------------------------------

Do I have to find the equation for a line perpendicular to this one in order to solve the problem?

If so I think the slope of the line would be 2. So

y = -2x + b

Now use the condition that this line passes through (3,0)


......but I don't know how to get the b value (or the y-intercept). And I'm just confused about how to set this problem up to solve for it.