Question

What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the line passing through (-23, 8) and (12, -17)

Answer 1

Answer:

$m=\frac{7}{5}$

General Formulas and Concepts:

Pre-Algebra

• Order of Operations: BPEMDAS

Algebra I

• Slope Formula: $m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}$
• Slope of a perpendicular line is the negative reciprocal of the original

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Define

Point (-23, 8)

Point (12, -17)

Step 2: Find slope m

1. Substitute:                    $m=\frac{-17-8}{12+23}$
2. Subtract/Add:               $m=\frac{-25}{35}$
3. Simplify:                        $m=\frac{-5}{7}$

Step 3: Find perpendicular slope m

1. Take negative:          $m=\frac{5}{7}$
2. Take reciprocal:        $m=\frac{7}{5}$

And we have our final answer!