Question

Write an equation of the line perpendicular to the given line that contains P.

P(5,-5);y=1/5x+2
Please tell me step by step I’m really confused

Answer 1

y=-5x+1 (without point p)

Explanation:

Identify the slope of y= -1/5x+2:

m=1/5

*The perpendicular slope is the negative reciprocal of the given slope, in this case 1/5 is that given slope.*

So, the slope of the line perpendicular would be:

mp(slope perpendicular)= -5

Then you construct the line equation with just a general b in this case which gives you the equation:

y= -5x+1

The equation is then put into standard form to find the equation for point p (not positive if this what was meant by the question if so this'll give you the correct answer) ax+by=c :