Question

Write the equation of the line that is perpendicular to the line 3x + y = 7 and passes through the point (6, −1).

y = x − 3

y = x + 17

y = −3x − 3

y = −3x + 17

Answer 1

First, set it to slope-intercept form.
so y=-3x+7
The slope here is -3, and if you want a perpendicular line, you have to change the slope to its opposite reciprocal. The new slope will be 1/3. Plug in 6 for x and -1 for y and then solve for b.
-1=(1/3)6 +b
-1=2+b
-3=b

y=(1/3)x-3.

All those answers that you have above seem incorrect.... unless I made a mistake. If I did make a mistake, then you can follow the steps I used to try to solve it yourself :)

Answer 2

I plugged it in like you did there and got -1

Answer 3

Did you get -1 for b?

Answer 4

yes but the first two answers are y =1/3 x − 3

y =1/3 x + 17

Answer 5

Ok so I didn't make a mistake. It is y=1/3x-3 :)
But how did you get -1 for b?

Answer 6

ok thank you :) and I got it by doing -1=(1/3)6

Answer 7

(1/3) times 6 is 2. you have to -1 by 2 so that gives you -3=b

Answer 8

oh okay would you be able to help me with a few more?

Answer 9

Sure :)

Answer 10

Write the equation of the line that is perpendicular to the line y = x + 4 and passes through the point (−6, 3).

y = 3/2x − 1

y =3/2 x + 3

y = −2/3x − 1

y = −2/3x + 3

Answer 11

First, what is the opposite reciprocal of the slope in the given equation?

Answer 12

-4

Answer 13

Umm it's not -4. What is the slope of the equation?

Answer 14

is it 0

Answer 15

No, you have to pretend that there is an imaginary 1 in front of the x. So the slope is 1. The reciprocal of 1 is just 1. The opposite of 1 is -1. So what will the new slope be?

Answer 16

It would be -1

Answer 17

That is correct. Now plug in -1, -6, and 3 and solve for b.

Answer 18

I got 9

Answer 19

b=-3. I think you just made a simple mistake by adding 3 and 6, instead of subtracting.