35,221 views
21 votes
21 votes
Determine the equation of the line that passes through the point(-7,-1/3),and is perpendicular to the line y = -3x – 2.Enter your answer in slope-intercept form.Pls see pictures

Determine the equation of the line that passes through the point(-7,-1/3),and is perpendicular-example-1
User Caiuspb
by
1.9k points

1 Answer

24 votes
24 votes

step 1

Find out the slope of the given line

we have

y=-3x-2

the slope is m=-3

Remember that

If lines are perpendicular, then their slopes are negative reciprocal

that means

the slope of the perpendicular line to the given line is

m=1/3

step 2

Find out the equation of the perpendicular line

y=mx+b

we have

m=1/3

point (-7,-1/3)

substitute and solve for b

-1/3=(1/3)(-7)+b

-1/3=-7/3+b

b=-1/3+7/3

b=2

therefore

the equation of the line is

y=(1/3)x+2

User Darjeeling
by
3.0k points