Question

Line l passes through the points (-5,3) and (3,7) . If line m is perpendicular to line l, the slope of line m is equal to

Answer 1

EXPLANATION

Given the points (x_1,y_1) = (-5,3) and (x_2,y_2) = (3,7), we can compute the slope applying the following relationship:

`\text{Slope }=\text{ }(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

Replacing terms:

`\text{Slope}=((7-3))/((3-(-5)))`

Subtracting numbers and simplifying:

`\text{Slope}=(4)/(8)=(1)/(2)`

The slope of the line m that would be perpendicular to the line l is the one whose slope is negative and reciprocal. That slope is --> -2