Question

What is the equation of the line that is perpendicular to y = (-1/2)x - 3 and goes through point (6,-4)? Write your answer in slope-intercept form.

Answer 1

y = -1/2x - 3....slope here is -1/2. A perpendicular line will have a negative reciprocal slope. All that means is " flip " the slope and change the sign. So we need a slope of 2 for our perpendicular line.

y = mx + b
slope(m) = 2
(6,-4)...x = 6 and y = -4
now we sub and find b
-4 = 2(6) + b
-4 = 12 + b
-4 - 12 = b
-16 = b

so ur perpendicular equation is : y = 2x - 16