Question

find the slope of the line that is (a) parallel and (b) perpendicular to the line through the pair of points (-6,-1) and (1.7)

Answer 1

Explanation:

1. Calculate the slope for the line with points (-6,-1) and (1,7). Rise/Run, so take the difference between the two points for both x and y:

Change in x (the run) is 1 - (-6) = 7

Change in y (the rise) is 7 - (-1) = 8

The slope is rise/run so 8/7.

Any line of the form y=mx+b, where m is the slope, will be parallel to this line if it has the same slope: y = (8/7)x + whatever.

Any line in the same format with be perpendicular if the slope is the negative inverse of the reference line. In this case the perpendicular slope would be (-7/8). y = (-7/8)x + whomever.