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5 votes
For what value of k will the graph of 2x + ky = 6 be perpendicular to the graph of 6x – 4y = 12?

2 Answers

6 votes
perpendicular is when the slopes multiply to negative 1

remember
the slope of the line in form
ax+by=c is -a/b

find slopes

2x+ky=6
slope is -2/k

6x-4y=12
slope is -6/-4=3/2

so

-2/k times 3/2=-1
solve for k
-6/(2k)=-1
times both sides by 2k
-6=-2k
divide by -1
3=k

k has to be 3

User Nickz
by
7.7k points
3 votes
The problem wants to calculate the possible value of  K that the first equation should be perpendicular to the second equation. First you must transform the both equation in to y slope intercept form or y = mx+b. By means of that you can identify its slope. The slope of the second equation is 6/4 so the first equation slope must be equal to the reciprocal of its slope and should be 3/2. So the value of K = 3. 
User Sean Curtis
by
7.9k points