Question

Write the equation of the line that is perpendicular to the line 5y=x−5 through the point (-1,0).

Answer 1

Hey there!

First, we want to put the equation of this first line in slope-intercept form.

5y=x-5

We divide both sides by 5.

y=1/5x-1.

The slope of a perpendicular is line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the original line. The slope of a line perpendicular to a line with the equation y=1/2x would be -2, because you flip the numerator and denominator and then make it negative.

So, this means that the slope of the line perpendicular to the line y=1/5x-1 is -5. So, here's our equation so far.

y= -5x+b

Now, we need to find the b. To do this, we can plug in this point (-1,0) that this perpendicular line goes through and solve for b.

0=-5(-1)+b

0=5+b

b= -5

So, this gives us the equation y= -5x-5

Have a wonderful day!