SOLUTION: Find the equation for the line that passes through the point (5,4), and that is perpendicular to the line with the equation x=4

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Find the equation for the line that passes through the point (5,4), and that is perpendicular to the line with the equation x=4      Log On


   

Question 1049998: Find the equation for the line that passes through the point (5,4), and that is perpendicular to the line with the equation x=4
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x+=+4 is a vertical line.
recall: y=mx%2Bb where m+=+slope and
m+=+%28change_+in_+y%29+%2F+%28change_+in_+x%29
if the slope is undefined because there is no change in 'x', which is equivalent to dividing by 0
A line perpendicular to a vertical line is a horizontal line.
There is no change in 'y', so its slope is 0.
so, y=mx%2Bb ...plug in the coordinates of given point (5,4) and slope m=0
y=mx%2Bb
4=0%2A5%2Bb
4=b
so, for a horizontal line to go through the point (5,4), we simply set y+=+b or:
highlight%28y=4%29