Question

Find the equation of the line that passes through (1,2) and is perpendicular to y=2x+3. Leave your answer in the form y=mx+c

Answer 1

Answer:

y = -1/2x + 5/2

Step-by-step explanation:

If two lines are perpendicular to each other, they have opposite slopes.

The first line is y = 2x + 3. Its slope is 2. A line perpendicular to this one will have a slope of -1/2.

Plug this value (-1/2) into your standard point-slope equation of y = mx + b.

y = -1/2x + b

To find b, we want to plug in a value that we know is on this line: in this case, it is (1, 2). Plug in the x and y values into the x and y of the standard equation.

2 = -1/2(1) + b

To find b, multiply the slope and the input of x (1)

2 = -1/2 + b

Now, add 1/2 to both sides to isolate b.

5/2 = b

Plug this into your standard equation.

y = -1/2x + 5/2

This equation is perpendicular to your given equation (y = 2x + 3) and contains point (1, 2)

Hope this helps!