Question

A landscape architect is designing a water feature for a bontanical garden. The current path follows the line y= -3x +1. The water feature will be located at (7,-4). Write an equation for a path that will run to water feature and is a perpendicular to the current path

Answer 1

y = 1/3x - 19/3

Explanation:

Find the equation of the line that passes through (7, -4) and is perpendicular to y = -3x + 1

Perpendicular lines have slopes that are opposite reciprocals.

The slope of the first path is -3, so the slope of the second path has to be 1/3

y = 1/3x + b

Plug (7, -4) in for (x, y) to find the value of b

-4 = 1/3(7) + b

b = -19/3

y = 1/3x - 19/3