Geometry question

Question

Line a passes through points (7,5) and (3,8). Line b perpendicular to a. What is the slope of line b? Simplify your answer and write it as a proper fraction, improper fraction, or integer.

Answer 1

Hello, Tiahanna,

The slope is also know as the rise over the run., That is, the change in y (the rise), divided by the change in x (the run). Take the two points and calculate these values:

(3,8)

(7.5)

As x increases by 4 (7-3), y changes by -3 (5-8). Slope is Rise/Run, or (-3/4) for a slope of -(3/4).

A perpendicular line has a slope that is the negative inverse of the referenced line. In this case, this perpendicular line would have a slope of (4/3), the negative inverse of -(3/4).

Bob