[ATM] Another Math Question

["Richard F.L.R. Snashall" <rflrs@rcn.com>]

I'm trying to solve a problem in R^3.  I have a point P0 and
a [unit] direction P0'.  I also have another point P1.  I want
to find the minimal distance of P1 from the ray path given by
P0 and P0'.  I create R1, the relative position of P1, equal
to P1 - P0.  Then, the dot product R1 . P0' represents the
[signed] component of the relative position in the direction
of propagation, since the norm of P0' is unity.  Then,
R1 - R1.P0' * P0' gives the rest of the relative position not
in the direction of propagation.  Its norm should then give
the minimal distance between P1 and the ray. -- Right?

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