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12 votes
12 votes
Find the equation of the straight line passing through the point (3,5) which is perpendicular to the line y=3x+2

User Nitinvertigo
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1 Answer

25 votes
25 votes

Answer:

the desired equation is y = (-1/3)x + 6

Explanation:

Let the given line be A: y=3x+2

The slope of line A is m = 3.

The slope of any line B which is perpendicular to line A is the negative reciprocal of the slope of A: m = -(1/3).

The particular perpendicular line that passes through (3, 5) is then

5 = (-1/3)(3) + b, which simplifies to 5 = -1 + b, or b = 6.

Thus, the desired equation is y = (-1/3)x + 6

User Jeff Morrris
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3.0k points