Question

Write an equation in slope intercept form for a line that goes through the point (-9,4) and is perpendicular to line Y=-3x-2

Answer 1

Answer:

y = (1/3)x + 7

Step-by-step explanation:

The slope of a line perpendicular to the given line y = -3x - 2 would have to be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given line:

or, in other words,

the negative reciprocal of -3.  That would be +1/3.

Starting with the slope-intercept form of the equation of a straight line, we have:

y = mx + b.  

We substitute the coordinates of the given point, (-9,4), and the slope +1/3:

4 = (1/3)(-9) + b.

This simplifies to

4 = -3 + b, from which it can be easily seen that b = 7.

The desired line is y = (1/3)x + 7.