SOLUTION: the line y=ax+b is perpendicular to the line y-3x=4 and passes through point (1,-2). Find the value of a and b.

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Question 884975: the line y=ax+b is perpendicular to the line y-3x=4 and passes through point (1,-2). Find the value of a and b.
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Perpendicular lines have slopes that are negative reciprocals.
y=3x%2B4
m=3
.
.
m%5Bp%5D%2A3=-1
m%5Bp%5D=-1%2F3
Use the point slope form of a line,
y-%28-2%29%29=-%281%2F3%29%28x-1%29
y%2B2=-%281%2F3%29x%2B1%2F3
y=-%281%2F3%29x%2B1%2F3-6%2F3
y=-%281%2F3%29x-5%2F3
.
.
.
a=-1%2F3
b=-5%2F3