Question

Find the coordinates of the point on y-axis which is nearest to the point (–2, 5). can someone please explain with steps

Answer 1

see, the point on y-axis nearest to the point (-2, 5) will be perpendicular from it on y-axis, and the perpendicular distance is of 2 units.
x = 0 as the point is on y-axis.
Therefore, 2 = sq.root((x2 - x1 )^2 + (y2 - y1)^2)
                   2 = sq.root( 4 + y2^2 + 25 - 10y2)
on squaring both sides we get
  4 = 4 + y2^2 +25 - 10y2
y2^2 -10y2 + 25 = 0
y2^2 -5y2 - 5y2 + 25 = 0
(y2 - 5) ( y2 - 5) = 0
y2 = 5 
so, the point is (0, 5). ANSWER.
thanks...