Question

Equation of a perpendicular line (-2,-3); 2y +4x =8

Answer 1

If you want a line perpendicular to that containing (-2,-3):

1. put equation in slope-intercept form

2y=-4x+8

y=-2x+4

2. find the slope of the perpendicular line:

the slope is the opposite reciprocal of the original slope.

so, the original slope is -2

the opposite reciprocal is 1/2

3. find b

the point slope equation is y=mx+b

-add slope

y=(1/2)x+b

- use your point (-2,-3) to plug in known values for x and y

-3=(1/2)(-2)+b

-solve

-3=-1(b)

b=3

your equation is y=(1/2)x+3