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Find the equation of a line that passes through the point (4,2) that is perpendicular to the line y = x. Show your work.

User Leo Selig
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1 Answer

5 votes
If it has to be perpedicular to y = x, then the slope has to be -1/x because perpedicular slope is the opposite reciprocal. Now plug what you know into the point slope formula.

y - 2 = -1/1 (x - 4)

***** Since -1/1 is the same as -1, it can be rewritten as -1. ****************

y - 2 = -1 (x - 4)

Now distribute -1 times x and -4.

y - 2 = -x + 4

Add 2 to both sides to get y by itself.

y = -x + 2

Your answer should be:

y = -x + 2
User Bax
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