How do you work with perpendicular lines & slope intercept form?

Question

Through (-4,1), perpendicular to y=5/2x-2

Please show all steps so I can help my son - I haven't tried geometry since highschool!

Answer 1

The line with equation y = (5/2)x - 2 has slope 5/2.

Any line that is perpendicular to that line has slope -1 / (5/2) = -2/5.

Equation of line with slope -2/5 and containing the point (-4,1) is: y - 1 = (-2/5)(x - (-4))

y = (-2/5)x - 3/5