Question

8. Find the slope of a line that is perpendicular to the line containing the points (-2, -1) and (2, -3).

Answer 1

slope = 2

Explanation:

Calculate the slope m using the slope formula

m = (y₂ - y₁ ) / (x₂ - x₁ )

with (x₁, y₁ ) = (- 2, - 1) and (x₂, y₂ ) = (2, - 3)

m =
`(-3+1)/(2+2)` =
`(-2)/(4)` = -
`(1)/(2)`

Given a line with slope m then the slope of a line perpendicular to it is

`m_(perpendicular)` = -
`(1)/(m)` = -
`(1)/(-(1)/(2) )` = 2