What is the slope of the line perpendicular to the line passing through the points (8,−2) and (3,−1)?
- A5
- B3/5
- C5/3
- D1/5
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
First, find the slope (m
1
) of the line passing through (8,−2) and (3,−1):
m
1
=
x
2
−x
1
y
2
−y
1
=
3−8
−1−(−2)
=
−5
1
=−
5
1
The slope (m
2
) of a line perpendicular to it satisfies the condition m
1
×m
2
=−1:
−
5
1
×m
2
=−1⟹m
2
=5
1
) of the line passing through (8,−2) and (3,−1):
m
1
=
x
2
−x
1
y
2
−y
1
=
3−8
−1−(−2)
=
−5
1
=−
5
1
The slope (m
2
) of a line perpendicular to it satisfies the condition m
1
×m
2
=−1:
−
5
1
×m
2
=−1⟹m
2
=5