Determine whether the lines through the pairs of points are parallel, perpendicular, or neither.

3x - 2y = -5
2x + 3y = -15

Question

Determine whether the lines through the pairs of points are parallel, perpendicular, or neither.

3x - 2y = -5
2x + 3y = -15

anonymous · Answer

For the first equation, I can get y by itself

3x - 2y = -5 

Subtract 3x from both sides

-2y = -3x - 5

Divide all terms by -2

y = (3/2)x + 5/2

The slope is 3/2.  Can you do the same for the second equation?

anonymous · Answer

Find the slopes of both lines by putting the equations into y=mx+b form.  Then compare the two slopes.

If they have the same slope - your lines are parallel.  If the slopes are opposite reciprocals - your lines are perpendicular.  Otherwise they're neither.