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| Question 10277:  Find an equation of the line that passes through (–3, 1) and is perpendicular to y = (1/2)x + 4.  Write answer in slope–intercept form.
 
 Answer by rapaljer(4671)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! The slope of the line y = (1/2)x + 4 is m=1/2.  The slope of a line perpendicular to this line is the negative reciprocal of 1/2, which is -2. 
 So, you need a line in the form y = mx + b, that passes through (-3,1) with a slope m= -2.  Write the equaition y = mx+b, and substitute m=-2, x=-3, and y=1, and solve for b.
 y=mx+b
 1=(-2)(-3) + b
 1=6 + b
 b= -5
 
 The equation is y=-2x-5
 
 Check:  write
 y=mx+b
 1=-2(-3) - 5
 1=6-5
 
 R^2 at SCC
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