Write down the equation of the line that is perpendicular to y = 1⁄2x + 3 and passes through (0, −1)

Answer 1

Hello, please see below!

Step 1: identify slope of the line you want to find. Since we need a perpendicular slope, we need to take the opposite reciprocal of the slope given. In the equation y = 1/2x + 3, the slope, m, is 1/2. What is the opposite reciprocal of 1/2?

1/2 ---> opposite: -1/2 ----? reciprocal: -2

perpendicular slope = -2

Step 2: Use point slope form:

We have a point on our new line --- (0,-1)

W have our new slope --- m = -2

Point slope form: y - y₁ = m (x - x₁) <----- x₁ and y₁ come form your point given (0,-1)

y - (-1) = -2 (x - 0)

y + 1 = -2x

y = -2x -1