SOLUTION: I don't know how to do this problem, can you help? What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the segment AB which has the end point A(-8.1, 4.9) and B(-7.6, 2.9)? express you

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: I don't know how to do this problem, can you help? What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the segment AB which has the end point A(-8.1, 4.9) and B(-7.6, 2.9)? express you      Log On


   

Question 556959: I don't know how to do this problem, can you help?
What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the segment AB which has the end point A(-8.1, 4.9) and B(-7.6, 2.9)? express your answer as a common fraction.
Answer by KMST(5396) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The slopes of perpendicular lines, multiplied, equals -1.
The slope of AB can be calculated as the difference of the y coordinates divided by the difference of the x coordinates.
slope of AB = %284.9-2.9%29%2F%28-8.1-%28-7.6%29%29 = 2.0%2F%28-8.1%2B7.6%29 = 2.0%2F%28-0.5%29 = 2%2A2.0%2F%282%2A%28-0.5%29%29 = 4%2F%28-1%29 = -4
The slope (m) of the perpendicular line is such that
-4m=-1 --> m = -1%2F%28-4%29 = 1%2F4