Find the point on the line 2x+7y-6=0 which is closest to the point (-5,5.

Answer 1

The distance from (m,n) to Ax+By+C=0 is

|Am+Bn+C|/sqrt(A^2+B^2)

All these values appear above. Use 'em.

Answer 2

sqrt((x-m)^2 + (y-n)^2) = distance above, x and y fit the line equation. Minimize that distance.