SOLUTION: Determine the slope of a line that is perpendicular to the line defined by, 3x + 4y - 6 = 0

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: Determine the slope of a line that is perpendicular to the line defined by, 3x + 4y - 6 = 0      Log On


   

Question 13480: Determine the slope of a line that is perpendicular to the line defined by,
3x + 4y - 6 = 0
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Remember that perpendicular lines have slopes that are the negative reciprocal of each other. So you'll first find the slope of the given line, then find the negative reciprocal of that slope to give you the answer to the problem.
To find the slope of the given line whose equation is:
3x+%2B+4y+-+6+=+0 you can convert this to the slope-intercept form: y+=+mx+%2B+b where m is the slope.
3x+%2B+4y+-+6+=+0 Subtract 3x from both sides.
4y+-+6+=+-3x Now add 6 to both sides.
4y+=+-3x+%2B+6 Finally, divide both sides by 4.
y+=+%28-3%2F4%29x+%2B+3%2F2 Compare this with:
y+=+mx+%2B+b You'll see that m, the slope, is -3/4
Now you need the negative reciprocal of -3/4 and this is: 4/3
The slope of the perpendicular is m = 4/3