(-3,1); y=-5x+2

Question

Write an equation through the given points and is perpendicular to the given line

Answer 1

Hi Jesse,

Perpendicular means opposite (math term: negative reciprocal) slopes. We can use the slope-intercept equation:

y=mx + b

The slope you were given was -5, so a perpendicular slope would be:

m= 1/5.

You can now substitute the m, x and y values into y=mx + b and solve for b.

x= -3

y=1

1 = (1/5)(-3) + b

1 = -3/5 + b

b= 8/5

Your equation is:

y = (1/5)x + 8/5

I hope this helps.