What is the slope of any line perpendicular to the line passing through #(-6,-4)# and #(7,-12)#?

1 Answer
Mar 22, 2016

The perpendicular slope would be #m=13/8#

Explanation:

The slope a line that is perpendicular to a given line would be the inverse slope of the given line

#m = a/b# the perpendicular slope would be #m =-b/a#

The formula for the slope of a line based upon two coordinate points is

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

For the coordinate points #(-6,-4) and (7,-12)#
#x_1 = -6#
#x_2 = 7#
#y_1 = -4#
#y_2 = -12#

#m = (-12-(-4))/(7-(-6))#

#m = -8/13#

The slope is #m = -8/13#
the perpendicular slope would be the reciprocal (-1/m)
#m = 13/8#