Question

Gerry thinks that the points (4,2) and (−1,4) form a line perpendicular to a line with slope 4. Do you agree? Why

or why not?

Answer 1

The answer to your question is these lines are not perpendicular.

Explanation:

Data

A (4, 2)

B (-1, 4)

slope = m = 4

Perpendicular lines mean that these lines cross and form an angle of 90°. Also, the slope of perpendicular lines is negative reciprocals.

Process

1.- Find the slope of the second line and compare it to the slope given.

slope =
`(y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)`

Substitution

slope =
`(4 - 2)/(-1 - 4)`

Simplification and result

slope =
`(-2)/(5)`

-2/5 is not a negative reciprocal of 4, so these lines are not perpendicular.