Write an equation of the line containing the given point and perpendicular to the given line.
(8,-3); 8x + 5y=4
The equation of the line is y = ?

Question

anonymous · Answer

So the original equation in y=mx+b form is:
$$y=(-8/5)x + 4$$
The slope of the perpendicular line will be the inverse of the negative of this slope. So we can substitute the given point into the following equation:
$$y=(5/8)x+b$$
Giving us:
$$-3=(5/8)8+b$$
$$-3=5+b$$
b=-8
With a final answer of:
$$y=(5/8)x-8$$

anonymous · Answer

Thank you!