Question

Lines a and b are perpendicular. If the slope of line a is 3, what is the slope of line b?

Answer 1

-1/3

Explanation:

Its opposite reciprocal, mean that 3/1 (which is 3) will have the numerator swapped with its denominator.

So basically 3/1 would turn into 1/3

Now the sign will be the opposite as well.

So since 3 is positive, the new slow should be a negative.

-1/3

Answer 2

Answer:
`(-1)/(3)`

Explanation:

• The product of the slopes of two lines which are perpendicular to each other is -1.

Given : The slope of a line 'a'=
`3`

Let
`x` be the slope of the line 'b'.

Since lines a and b are perpendicular.

Then, we have

`3* x=-1\\\\\Rightarrow\ x=(-1)/(3)`

Hence, the slope of line 'b' is
`(-1)/(3)`