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38 votes
Write the equation of a line through (2, -3), perpendicular to y = 1/3x

User Greg
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1 Answer

12 votes
12 votes

to make a perpendicular function from another we must take its slope and make two transformations

the slope of y=1/3x is 1/3

the transformations:

1.

reverse the number


(1)/(3)\longrightarrow(3)/(1)=3

2.

and change the sign


3\longrightarrow-3

ok we have the slope now need the general equation of the line


y=mx+b

where m is the slope , b a cut point and (x,y) a point

so, we have the slope=-3 , and the point (2,-3) we can replace to find b


\begin{gathered} (-3)=(-3)(2)+b \\ -3=-6+b \\ b=-3+6 \\ b=3 \end{gathered}

now we can replace b and the slope to have the final equation


y=-3x+3

User JensG
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3.0k points