Question

Write the point-slope form of the line passing through (2, -12) and perpendicular to y = 3x.

Answer 1

Answer:

y + 12 = - $\frac{1}{3}$(x - 2)

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation of a line in point- slope form is

y - b = m(x - a)

where m is the slope and (a, b) a point on the line

y = 3x is in the form y = mx with slope m = 3

Given the slope of a line m then the slope of a line perpendicular to it is

$m_{perpendicular}$ = - $\frac{1}{m}$ = - $\frac{1}{3}$

Hence

y - (- 12) = - $\frac{1}{3}$(x - 2), that is

y + 12 = - $\frac{1}{3}$(x - 2) ← in point- slope form