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Question 197509:  Please help with the following question Write the equation for a line that is perpendicular to the line, y=3x+10/3 and goes thru the point [-15,6] 
 Answer by nerdybill(7384)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website!     Please help with the following question Write the equation for a line that is perpendicular to the line, y=3x+10/3 and goes thru the point [-15,6] 
. 
The slope of (from inspection) 
y=3x+10/3 
is 3 
. 
If a line is to be perpendicular the slope has to be the "negative reciprocal": 
Let m = our new slope 
then 
3m = -1 
m = -1/3 (our new slope) 
. 
Using our new slope and [-15,6] 
plug it into the "point-slope" form: 
y - y1 = m(x - x1) 
y - 6 = (-1/3)(x - (-15)) 
y - 6 = (-1/3)(x + 15) 
y - 6 = (-1/3)x - 5 
y = (-1/3)x + 1 (this is what they're looking for)
 
 
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