Question

If the lines 4y+2x = -5 and 3y +ax = -2 are perpendicular, what is the value of a ? I need help! @Shido88

Answer 1

@BluFoot please help

Answer 2

OK first solve for y in both those equations so they're both in the form of y=mx+b

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

Do that and let me know what you get

Answer 5

y= -1/2x -5/4 and y=-2/3x-2/3 and what else?

Answer 6

You should get
y=-1/2 x -5/4 and y=-a/3 x -2/3

Now you want them to be perpendicular. This means that one slope is the negative reciprocal of the other.

Slope of first = -1/2
Negative reciprocal of first = 2/1 = 2
Slope of second = -a/3
So:

2 = -a/3
6 = -a
a=-6

So slope of second = -a/3 = -(-6)/3 = 6/3 = 2

So second line is y = 2 x -2/3