What is the slope of any line perpendicular to the line passing through #(-2,5)# and #(-8,1)#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-02-03T22:05:43

First, find the slope of the line between these points.

The formula for slope m = #(y_2 - y_1) / (x_2 - x_1)#

m = #(y_2 - y_1) / (x_2 - x_1)#

m = #(1 - 5)/(-8- (-2))#

m = #-4/6#

m = #-2/3#

The slope of a line perpendicular to this one has a slope that is the negative reciprocal of m.

So, the new slope is #3/2#

Practice exercises:

Here is the graph of a linear function. Find the slope of the line perpendicular to this one.

graph{y = 1/2x + 1 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}eh equations of the lines perpendicular

Below are linear function equations or linear function characteristics. Find the equations of the lines perpendicular to these functions:

a) 2x + 5y = -3

b) y - 2 = #1/3#(2x - 6)

c) Has an x intercept at (2,0) and a y intercept at (-5,0).

Good luck!