SOLUTION: what equation is perpendicular to the line that passes through the points (-2,-1) and (7,-4)

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Question 756376: what equation is perpendicular to the line that passes through the points (-2,-1) and (7,-4)
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The slope of the line through (-2,-1) and (7,-4) is...

m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)


m = (-4-(-1))/(7-(-2))


m = (-4+1)/(7+2)


m = (-3)/9


m = -1/3

The perpendicular slope is 3/1 = 3 (flip the fraction and flip the sign)

So any equation with a slope of 3 will be perpendicular to this line.

So the equation might be y = 3x + 2 or y = 3x + 5