Question

Find the value of y so that WX is perpendicular to YZ

Answer 1

step 1

Find out the slope WX

W(2,-3) and X(-4,9)

m=(9+3)/(-4-2)

m=12/-6

m=-2

step 2

Find out the slope YZ

Y(5,y) and Z(-1,1)

m=(1-y)/(-1-5)

m=(1-y)/-6

m=(y-1)/6

step 3

Remember that

If two lines are perpendicular

then

their slopes are negative reciprocal

that means

(y-1)/6=1/2 -----> because the negative reciprocal of -2 is 1/2

solve for y

2y-2=6

2y=6+2

2y=8

y=4