Question

What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the line with equation y = 5x – 2?

Answer 1

Let m be its slope, then m (5) =-1.
How much is m?

Answer 2

Just solve 5 m =-1 for m

Answer 3

\[
m =-\frac 1 5
\]

Answer 4

When a line is parallel to another, it has the same slope. When it is perpendicular, it means it has a reciprocal slope (or opposite) So the sign changes and you "flip it". So 5 becomes -1/5

Answer 5

\[m=\frac{ -1}{ 5}\]