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What slope would make the lines perpendicular?
y = 1/2x+ 5
y = [?]x + 7

1 Answer

3 votes

Final Answer:

To make the lines perpendicular, the correct slope for the second line is -2: y = -2x + 7

Step-by-step explanation:

Identify Slope of the First Line:

The given line is y = (1/2)x + 5. The slope (m) of this line is 1/2.

Reciprocal to Find Perpendicular Slope:

For two lines to be perpendicular, the product of their slopes must be -1.

The reciprocal of 1/2 is 2. So, the desired slope for the second line is -2.

Write Equation for Second Line:

The second line is y = mx + 7, and the desired slope is -2. So, the equation is y = -2x + 7.

Therefore, to make the lines perpendicular, the slope for the second line should be -2, and its equation is y = -2x + 7.

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