Question

Question #164f8

Answer 1

`1/3`

Explanation:

The equation isn't in an easy line form, so you'll have to change it round,

`3x + y = 8`
`y = 8 - 3x`
`y = -3x + 8`.

This now resembles `y = mx + c`, where `m` is the slope or gradient. We can read off from the equation that the slope is `-3`.

However, if it is the slope of a line perpendicular to this that is being asked for, then the slope is

`-m^-1`.

When `m = -3`, as in the question, then

`-(-3)^-1 = -1/(-3) = 1/3`