Write an equation that passes through (5,4) and is perpendicular to y=-1/3x-6

Question

Write an equation that passes through (5,4) and is perpendicular to y=-1/3x-6

Answer 1

The line that is perpendicular to the equation that you are given has the opposite sign, and reciprocal slope of the slope of the original line. The original slope here is -1/3. The opposite sign and reciprocal would be 3. So the perpendicular line you are looking for has a slope of 3.

Now you plug in the point you are given (5,4) into the point slope formula along with your new slope:

4= 3(5) + b

Solve for b to get your y-intercept.

Plug your slope and y intercept into the formula y= mx + b and this line will be perpendicular to the line you were given.