Answer: y = -2x - 7
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation for a perpenducular line has a slope that is the negative inverse of the reference line, in this case x - 2y = 6.
Let's put this equation into standard slope-intercept form, y = mx+b, where m is the slope and b the y-intercept (the value of y when x is 0).
x - 2y = 6
- 2y = 6 - x
y = (1/2) x -3
The slope is (1/2), so a perpendicular line will have a slope of -2.
y = -2x + b
We can find b by using the given point ((-3,-1), a known solution):
-1 = -2*(-3) + b
-1 = 6 + b
b = -7
The perpendicular equation is y = -2x - 7
y = -2x