176k views
0 votes
What is the equation of a line that is perpendicular to 2x+y=−4 and passes through the point (2, −8) ?

1 Answer

4 votes

Slope-intercept form:

y = mx + b

"m" is the slope, "b" is the y-intercept (the y value when x = 0)

You need to find "m" and "b".


For lines to be perpendicular, their slopes have to be the opposite/negative reciprocal (flipped sign and number)

For example:

Slope is 2

Perpendicular line's slope is -1/2

Slope is -2/3

Perpendicular line's slope is 3/2


Isolate the y in the given equation

2x + y = -4 Subtract 2x on both sides

y = -2x - 4


The given line's slope is -2, so the perpendicular line's slope is 1/2

y = 1/2x + b

To find "b", plug in the point (2,-8) into the equation

y = 1/2x + b

-8 = 1/2(2) + b

-8 = 1 + b

-9 = b



y=(1)/(2)x-9

User Kinkersnick
by
7.6k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.