Question

What is an equation of the line that passes through the point (5, -8) and is

perpendicular to the line 5x – 4y = 16?
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Answer:

Answer 1

4x +5y = -20

Explanation:

Starting with an equation in standard form, you can write the equation for the perpendicular line by swapping the x- and y-coefficients and negating one of them. You want the x-coefficient to be positive, so it is convenient to negate that one here. This gives you the equation ...

4x +5y = (some constant)

You find the value of the constant by evaluating the expression at the given point:

4x +5y = 4(5) +5(-8) = -20

The desired equation is ...

4x +5y = -20