Measure the shortest distance from point P to the line. Give your answer in millimetres.
How to approach this question
Use a ruler to measure the distance from point P to the line. The "shortest distance" is the perpendicular distance. This means you should place your ruler so it makes a right angle with the line and passes through point P. Read the measurement in millimetres.
Full Answer
The shortest distance between a point and a line is the length of the perpendicular line segment from the point to the line. To measure this, you would ideally use a set square to draw a line from P that is perpendicular to the given line. Then, you would measure the length of this new line segment using a ruler. The measurement should be approximately 24 mm.
Common mistakes
✗ Measuring the distance to one of the ends of the line segment shown, rather than the line itself.
✗ Not measuring the perpendicular distance.
✗ Giving the answer in centimetres instead of millimetres.
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