Question

The coordinates of point D are (7, 4) and the coordinates of point E are (1, -3).

What is the slope of the line that is perpendicular to DE?


Enter your answer as a simplified fraction in the box.

Answer 1

-6/7

Explanation:

The slope of DE is ...

(change in y)/(change in x) = (y2 -y1)/(x2 -x1) = (-3-4)/(1-7) = -7/-6 = 7/6

The slope of the line perpendicular to DE is the negative reciprocal of this:

perpendicular slope = -1/slope = -1/(7/6) = -6/7

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