What is the slope of any line perpendicular to the line passing through (-6,17) and (2,18)?

2 Answers
Mar 26, 2016

-8

Explanation:

First, we need to find the slope of the line passing through (-6,17) and (2,18). The slope is;

(18-17)/(2-(-6)) = 1/8

If we multiply the slope of any line with -1 and then get its reciprocal, we find the slope of the line which is perpendicular to it.

So;

1/8.-1=-1/8 its reciprocal -> -8

Mar 26, 2016

slope = -8

Explanation:

The first step is to calculate the gradient ( slope) of the line passing through the 2 given points using the color(blue)" gradient formula "

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

where (x_1,y_1)" and " (x_2,y_2)" are 2 coordinate points "

let (x_1,y_1)=(-6,17)" and " (x_2,y_2)=(2,18)

rArr m = (18-17)/(2-(-6)) = 1/8

If 2 lines with gradients , say m_1" and " m_2" are perpendicular"

Then m_1 xx m_2 = -1

rArr 1/8xxm_2 = -1 rArr m_2 =-1/(1/8) = -8