Write an equation in slope-intercept form for the line that passes through the given point and is perpendicular to the graph of the equation. (4,−3); y=3x−5

Question

I need to find the perpendicular. Thank you!

Answer 1

Here's how you do it.

1) If two lines are perpendicular to one another, then their slopes are negative reciprocals of one another. Hence all lines perpendicular to y = 3x - 5 will have a slope of -1/3. So the equation of a perpendicular line will be y = -(1/3)x + b

2) To find the particular perpendicular line that goes through the point (4,-3), plug the x and y values of the point (4,-3) into y = -(1/3)x + b then solve for b.