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Pre-Algebra 7 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

perpendicular ling equation is y=-4x-5;(0, -1)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

A perpendicular line's slope is the negative reciprocal, so if the slope is 1/5, the perpendicular's slope is -5. Here our slope is -4, what do you think the perpendicular's slope is?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Okay I am a little lost

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Ok. Sometimes math terms can be confusing. Sorry. :) Basically, if we want to find the slope of a perpendicular line, we have to take the slope of the first line. So say the slope of the line was 7. This could also be written as \[7\over1\] To find a the slope of a perpendicular line, we need to flip the fraction, (get the recriprocal) and change the sign in front of it. So, our slope was 7/1, now it is \[-{1\over7}\] Here's the two slopes. (attached pic) You can see that they are perpendicular, becasue they make a perfect X where they cross. Is this making sense?

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