Question

What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the line whose equation is 2x-y=-6

Answer 1

m⊥ = –½

Explanation:

First, put the given equation in slope-intercept form:

2x – y = –6

–y = –2x – 6

y = 2x + 6

The slope of the line perpendicular to the line given will be the negative reciprocal of the given line's slope, so:

If m = 2, then m⊥ = its negative reciprocal:

m · –1

2 · –1

–2 → –½

So, the negative reciprocal of 2 is –½.