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Find the given equation of the line through (8,-7) which is perpendicular to the line y= x/2-9

User Tim B James
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1 Answer

26 votes
26 votes

The equation of a line in the slope intercept form is expressed as

y = mx + c

where

m = slope

c = y intercept

By comapring the given equation,

slope, m = 1/2

If two lines are perpendicular, it means that the slope of one line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the other line. Thus,

slope of line passing through (8, - 7) = - 2/1 = - 2

We would find the y intercept of the line passing through (8, - 7) by substituting x = 8, y = - 7 and m = - 2 into the slope intercept equation. We have

- 7 = - 2 * 8 + c

- 7 = - 16 + c

c = - 7 + 16 = 9

The equation of the line is

y = - 2x + 9

User Rajorshi
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