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Line through (-4,-14); perpendicular to the lise passing though (-1,-2) and [3,-4). Find the value of x.

User Courtney
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To find the value of x, we can substitute the coordinates (-4,-14) in the equation of the perpendicular line.

Step-by-step explanation:

The line passing through the points (-1,-2) and (3,-4) can be found by finding the slope of the line that connects these points. The slope of a line can be found using the formula:

m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

Using the points (-1,-2) and (3,-4) in the formula, we have:
m = (-4 - (-2)) / (3 - (-1)) = (-4 + 2) / (3 + 1) = -2 / 4 = -1/2

A line perpendicular to another line has a slope that is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the original line. The negative reciprocal of -1/2 is 2.

So, the perpendicular line has a slope of 2. Using the point (-4,-14) and the slope of 2 in the point-slope form of a line equation, we have:

y - y1 = m(x - x1)

y - (-14) = 2(x - (-4))

y + 14 = 2(x + 4)

y + 14 = 2x + 8

y = 2x - 6

This is the equation of the line perpendicular to the line passing through (-1,-2) and (3,-4). To find the value of x, we can substitute the coordinates (-4,-14) into the equation:

-14 = 2x - 6

-14 + 6 = 2x

-8 = 2x

x = -4

Therefore, the value of x is -4.

User Steve De Niese
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