What is the equation of the line that is perpendicular to line with the equation y=−3x−1 and passes through the point (6,−1)?

Question

y=1/3x+3

y=1/3x+19/3

y=−1/3x+1

y=1/3x−3

Answer 1

The perpendicular line has a slope equal to the negative inverse of the slope of the given equation

negative inverse of -3 is +1/3. That eliminates the 3rd choice.

It goes through the point (6,-1) so plug that point into the slope intercept form of the equation for a line with (x,y) = (6,-1) x=6 y=-1:

y=mx + b or 6=(1/3)(-1)+b solve for b

6=-1/3 + b b=6 + 1/3 = 19/3

y=(1/3)x + 19/3