Question

What is an equation of the line

that is perpendicular to the line
y=-x-1
and passes through
the point (-4, 2)?

Answer 1

Explanation:

A line that is perpendicular to a reference line will have a slope that is the negative inverse of the reference line.

In this case, the reference line is y = -x - 1. It has a slope of -1. The negative inverse of this would be -(1/-1) = 1.

We can then write:

y = mx + b

y = 1x + b

To find b, enter the one given point that lines on the line, (-4,2).

y = 1x + b

y = 1x + b for (-4,2)

2 = 1(-4) + b

b = 6

The equation becomes y = x + 6

See attached.