Hey can someone help this is a true or false

Question

The line y=1/5x-6 that passes through (-3,-6) is perpendicular to y=-5

True or false?

Answer 1

Hi Lia

False

Perpendicular lines have inverse negative slopes

y = (1/5)x - 6 is in the form y = mx + b, where m is the slope

m = 1/5

y = -5 is in the form y = b or y = 0x + b, where b = -5

m = 0

y = -5 is a horizontal line parallel to the x axis and horizontal lines have a 0 slope

1/5 is not the negative inverse of 0 so the lines are not perpendicular

You can graph both your lines at Desmos.com to see that they are not perpendicular.

Do check out the properties associated with horizontal and vertical lines.in your text or online.

I hope this helps

Answer 2

Can't help but wonder if there's a typo or the problem was mis-copied.

y=-5 might have been y=-5x? Because then, y=(1/5)x -6 would be perpendicular to y=-5x. 1/5 and -5 are negative inverses, which is what you have when lines are perpendicular.

But as written, the statement is false. But it could be true, if altered a little. If this were a time pressure test question, you might be tempted to say true, just looking at the 1/5 and -5, if you didn't have time to think enough.