SOLUTION: Find slope of a line perpendicular to the line that passes through the following points. (3,9) and (7,15)

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Find slope of a line perpendicular to the line that passes through the following points. (3,9) and (7,15)      Log On


   

Question 641020: Find slope of a line perpendicular to the line that passes through the following points.
(3,9) and (7,15)
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 the points (3,9) and (7,15)


Note: is the first point . So this means that x%5B1%5D=3 and y%5B1%5D=9.
Also, is the second point . So this means that x%5B2%5D=7 and y%5B2%5D=15.


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


m=%2815-9%29%2F%287-3%29 Plug in y%5B2%5D=15, y%5B1%5D=9, x%5B2%5D=7, and x%5B1%5D=3


m=%286%29%2F%287-3%29 Subtract 9 from 15 to get 6


m=%286%29%2F%284%29 Subtract 3 from 7 to get 4


m=3%2F2 Reduce


So the slope of the line that goes through the points and is m=3%2F2


Now flip the fraction and change the sign to get the answer -2%2F3