Question

Which is an equation of a line that passes through the point (-4, 7) and is perpendicular to the line y = (1/2)x + 4

Answer 1

First you want to find the slope in a reciprocal and turn it to a negative, which is negative 2.

Answer 2

Find the slope of the perpendicular line:


`y = (1)/(2) x + b`


`\text {Slope = } (1)/(2)`


`\text {Slope =} \boxed {\text{negative reciprocal}} \text { of the slope of the original line}`


`\text {Perpendicular Slope = -2}`

Form the equation:


`y = mx + b`


`y = -2x + b`

Find y-intercept given that the line passed through (-4, 7):


`y = -2x + b`


`7 = -2(-4) + b`


`7 = 8 + b`


`b = 7 - 8`


`b = -1`

Form the equation:


`y = -2x - 1`


`\boxed {\boxed {Answer: y = -2x - 1}}`