Question

Write the equation of a line perpendicular to 2x + 3y = 4 and passing through (-3,-5).

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

A line perpendicular to the given line has a slope that is the negative inverse of the reference line.  

Rewrite the given equation in the format of y=mx+b, where mi is the slope and b is the y-intercept (the value of y when x = 0.

2x + 3y = 4

3y=-2x+4

y = -(2/3)X + (4/3)

The reference slope is -(2/3).  The negative inverse is (3/2), which will be the slope of a perpendicular line.  We can write the new line as:

y = (3/2)x + b

Any value of b will still result in a line that is perpendicular.  But we want a value of b that will shift the line so that it intersects the point (-3,-5).  Simply enter this point in the above equation and solve for b.

y = (3/2)x + b

-5 = (3/2)(-3) + b

-5 = -(9/2) + b

-5 = -4.5 + b

b = - 0.5

The equation of the line that is perpendicular to 2x + 3y = 4 and includes point (-3,-5) is

y = (3/2)x - 0.5