Question

Line L passes through the points (1, 1) and (7, 8). What is the slope of a line that is perpendicular to line L?

1.) -6/7
2.) -7/6
3.) 6/7
4.) 7/6

Answer 1

When a line passes through the two points
`(x_(1),y_(1)) and (x_(2),y_(2))` , its slope is given by the formula
`m= (y_(2)-y_(1))/(x_(2)-x_(1))`

In this question, a line L passes through the points
`(1,1) and (7,8)`

So, its slope is given by
`m=(8-1)/(7-1)`

`m=(7)/(6)`

When two lines are perpendicular, then the product of their slopes is -1.

Since, the slope of the line L is
`(7)/(6)` , so the slope of the line which is perpendicular to the given line L is
`(-6)/(7)` as the product of
`(-6)/(7) * (7)/(6)=-1`.