Write an equation for a line perpendicular to y=-4x-1 and passing through the point (-4,-3)

Answer 1

MATH RULE: The slopes of two perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals of each other.

1. If a line is perpendicular to a line that has slope m, then the slope of the line is -1 / m.

Our given equation is y = -4x - 1 and we need it to pass through (-4,-3)

Slope intercept form is y = mx + b

Therefore m = -4

To find the perpendicular slope we do -1 / -4.

Therefore m = 1/4

Now we have y = (1/4)x + b

To solve for "b", plug in the given coordinate.

-3 = (1/4)(-4) + b

-3 = -1 + b

b = -2

Line perpendicular to "y = -4x - 1" is y = (1/4)x -2