SOLUTION: My paper reads, "A line passes through the two given points. Find the slope of the line, the slope of a line parallel and the slope of a line perpendicular to the line passing thro

Algebra ->  Graphs -> SOLUTION: My paper reads, "A line passes through the two given points. Find the slope of the line, the slope of a line parallel and the slope of a line perpendicular to the line passing thro      Log On


   

Question 274019: My paper reads, "A line passes through the two given points. Find the slope of the line, the slope of a line parallel and the slope of a line perpendicular to the line passing through the two given points."
I honestly have no idea what it is saying because I had to miss school for a while. Please help me.
1. (8,3)(4,1)


Thank you for your time and effort, it is much appreciated.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Slope is (change in y)/(change in x) between 2 points on
a straight line. The line must be straight to work.
You have the points
P1(8,3) and
P2(4,1)
The formula is m+=+%28y%5B2%5D+-+y%5B1%5D%29%2F%28x%5B2%5D+-+x%5B1%5D%29
where m is slope
---------------------------
plugging in coordinates from your points,
m = (change in y)/(change in x)
m+=+%281+-+3%29%2F%284+-+8%29
m+=+-2%2F-4
m+=+1%2F2
-------------------------------
Any line parallel to any line with slope = 1/2
will also have slope = 1/2
---------------------------------
The formula for finding a slope perpendicular
to a given slope is:
m%5Bp%5D+=+-%281%2Fm%29, so for your points,
m%5Bp%5D+=+-%281%2F%281%2F2%29%29
m%5Bp%5D+=+-2
---------------------
Any line perpendicular to any line with slope = 1/2
will have slope = -2