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Find the equation of the line through the point ( 3 , − 7 ) that is perpendicular to the line with equation y = x − 12 .

1 Answer

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Answer: y = -x - 4

Explanation:

A perpendicular line has a slope that is the negative inverse of the reference line, which is y = x-12. The slope here is 1, so the negative inverse would be -1/1, or -1. The perpendicular line would therefore be:

y = -1x + b

We can find b by using the given point (3,-7) as a solution:

y = -1x + b

-7 = -1*3 + b

b = - 4

The equation is therefore y = -x - 4

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