Write an equation for a line perpendicular to y = 4 x + 4 and passing through the point (-12,2)

Answer 1

A perpendicular line will, by definition, have the negative reciprocal of the slope of the original line, so we already know the slope of the new line is -1/4. Therefore, the second line has an equation of y = -1/4x + b, where b is the intercept. Since we have a point on this second line, we can solve for b (the intercept) by plugging in the x and y values of that point. Thus, 2 = -1/4(-12) + b. Simplifying, 2 = 3 + b, so b = -1. The equation of the second line is y = -1/4x - 1!