Question

Line p passes through points (7, 4) and (3, 1). Line q is perpendicular to p. What is the slope of line q?

Answer 1

-( 4 / 3 )

negative four-thirds...

Step-by-step explanation:

Please give the points from left to right in ascending x order like (3, 1) and (7, 4) because it helps with calculations.

For line p:

Find the slope...

y = mx + c;

m = change in y / change in x

m = ( 1 - 4 ) / ( 3 - 7 );

m = - 3 / - 4;

m = 3 / 4;

y = ( 3 / 4 )x + c;

We know the values of y, so we can substitute a point into the equation.

1 = ( 3 / 4 )( 3 ) + c;

c = 1 - ( 3 / 4 )( 3 );

c = 1 - ( 9 / 4 );

c = - ( 5 / 4 );

y = ( 3 / 4 )x - ( 5 / 4 );

Perpendicular lines:

Perpendicular lines are the multiplicative and additive inverse of the original line. The intercept does not matter when it comes to perpendicular lines.

y = -( 1 / m )x;

y = -( 1 / ( 3 / 4 ) )x;

y = -( 4 / 3 )x;