Write an equation of the line passing through point P that is perpendicular to the given line. Graph the equations of the lines to check that they are perpendicular.

Question

The equation is P(-4,1), y+3 = -4(x+3)

Answer 1

The given line y+3 = -4(x+3) has slope -4. Any line perpendicular to it must have slope m' = 1/4.

Any line passing through P(-4,1) is such that y - 1 = m(x+4), where m is the slope (by changing the slope, you get almost all the lines passing through P except the vertical line x = -4). Since we know m = m', the equation o the line reads y - 1 = 1/4(x + 4)