Question

Find the equation of a line that passes through the point (-2,-1) and is

perpendicular to the line with equation y = –2x+8.

Answer 1

y=x/2

Explanation:

If one line is perpendicular to another, then the product of their slope is -1.

y = –2x+8. This line has a slope of -2. Which means another line must have a slope of 1/2.

By knowing the slope, we then assume this line as x-2y=k. Insert the point in, we find out k=0.

So the equation of this line is x-2y=0, or y=x/2.