Question

Lines m and p are perpendicular. if the slope of line m is -3 what is the slope of line p?

Answer 1

The slope of line p is 1/3. The correct option is B.

Explanation:

Let the slope of line p be m.

The product of slopes of two perpendicular lines is -1 and the slope of two parallel lines are same.

`m_1* m_2=-1`

It is given that lines m and p are perpendicular. It means the product of slopes of m and p is -1. The slope of line m is -3.

`-3* m=-1`

Divide both sides by -3.

`m=(-1)/(-3)`

`m=(1)/(3)`

Therefore the slope of line p is 1/3. The correct option is B.

Answer 2

Perpendicular lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals

so if m1 = -3

the perpendicular line has a slope of 1/3