How do you find the slope perpendicular to (-5,-6), (-4,-1)?

1 Answer
Meave60
Mar 30, 2018

The slope perpendicular to #5/1# is #-1/5#.

Refer to the explanation for the process.

Explanation:

Find the slope using the following formula:

#m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)#,

where #m# is the slope, #(x_1,y_1)# is one point, and #(x_2,y_2)# is the other point. I'm going to use #(-5,-6)# as point 1, and #(-4,-1)# as point 2.

Plug in the known values and solve.

#m=(-1-(-6))/(-4-(-5))#

#m=(-1+6)/(-4+5)#

#m=5/1#

Find the perpendicular slope.

The slopes of two perpendicular lines when multiplied equal #-1#.

#m_1*m_2=-1#

#m_2=-1/m_1#

#m_2=-1/(5/1)#

#m_2=-1xx1/5#

#m_2=-1/5#

The slope perpendicular to #5/1# is #-1/5#.

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