SOLUTION: Find the slope of the line that is perpendicular to the line that contains the points (-3,4) and (2,1) A. -3/5 B. 5/3 C. 3/5 D. -3

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Find the slope of the line that is perpendicular to the line that contains the points (-3,4) and (2,1) A. -3/5 B. 5/3 C. 3/5 D. -3      Log On


   

Question 169801: Find the slope of the line that is perpendicular to the line that contains the points (-3,4) and (2,1)
A. -3/5
B. 5/3
C. 3/5
D. -3
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First find the slope of the line through (-3,4) and (2,1)


Take note: x%5B1%5D=-3, y%5B1%5D=4, x%5B2%5D=2, and y%5B2%5D=1


m=%28y%5B2%5D-y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D-x%5B1%5D%29 Start with the slope formula.


m=%281-4%29%2F%282--3%29 Plug in y%5B2%5D=1, y%5B1%5D=4, x%5B2%5D=2, and x%5B1%5D=-3


m=%28-3%29%2F%282--3%29 Subtract 4 from 1 to get -3


m=%28-3%29%2F%285%29 Subtract -3 from 2 to get 5


So the slope of the line that goes through the points and is m=-3%2F5



Now simply flip the fraction of -3%2F5 to get -5%2F3 and change the sign to get 5%2F3


So the perpendicular slope is m=5%2F3