document.write( "Question 315196: I am studying for a final tomorrow, and I am really stuck on questions such as these: The lines 2x - 3y = -15 and 3x + ky = 12 are perpendicular. What is the value of k? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #225499 by nerdybill(7384)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Since the two lines are perpendicular, their slopes are \"negative reciprocals\". \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Begin by putting both equation into the \"slope-intercept\" form: \n" ); document.write( "2x - 3y = -15 \n" ); document.write( "-3y = -2x-15 \n" ); document.write( "y = (2/3)x+5 \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "3x + ky = 1 \n" ); document.write( "ky = -3x+1 \n" ); document.write( "y = (-3/k)x + 1/k \n" ); document.write( ". \n" ); document.write( "Because the slopes are \"negative reciprocal\" we have the relation: \n" ); document.write( "(2/3)(-3/k) = -1 \n" ); document.write( "(2/3)(3/k) = 1 \n" ); document.write( "(2)(k) = 1 \n" ); document.write( "2k = 1 \n" ); document.write( "k = 1/2 \n" ); document.write( " |