Question

Find the equation of the line that contains the point (3, -5) and is perpendicular to the line that contains (13, 3) and (-1, -3) -this one has stumped me for a while, help?

Answer 1

perpendicular means slope is negative reciprocal, so find the slope of the line between (12,3) and (-1,-3)

i get \[\frac{3+3}{13+1}=\frac{6}{14}=\frac{3}{7}\] thus perpendicular line will have slope
\[-\frac{7}{3}\]

Answer 2

now use almighty point - slope formula to find the equation of the line
\[y+5=-\frac{7}{3}(x-3)\]
\[y+5=-\frac{7}{3}x+7\]
\[y=-\frac{7}{3}x+2\]