Question

What is the slope of the line passing through the point (4, −3) and perpendicular to the line y = 2x + 1? Write your answer as a fraction.

Answer 1

Why do we care what point it passes through? If we just need the slope, then the "perpendicular" clue is quite sufficient.

We have y = 2x + 1. The slope of this line is 2
How do we find the slope of a line perpendicular to this line?

Answer 2

i dont know, if i remember correctly we would have to change the sign to negative?

Answer 3

What do you mean you don't know? You are certainly on the right track.

Two easy ways to describe it.

1) Negative Reciprocal. 2 ==> -1/2 Done
2) Product is -1 2*What = -1, well "What = -1/2 Done.

Answer 4

or make it 1/2?

Answer 5

oh ok thx!! the first would be the easiest, i will use that

Answer 6

See, you had both pieces in your head. That's the last of that "I don't know" stuff, right?!

Answer 7

yup, thank you!