Question

What would be the slope of a line that is perpendicular to the line that passes through the points P (-8,-10) and Q (-5,-12)?

Answer 1

m = 3/2

Explanation:

The slope of a line is m = rise / run.

As we move from P to Q, x increases from -8 to -5 (3 units) and y decreases from -10 to -12 (2 units). Hence, the slope of this line is m = rise / run

and m = -2 / 3.

Any line perpendicular to this line has a slope which is the negative reciprocal of this.

(slope of perpendicular line) = -1 / (-2/3) = 3/2