Math Problem Statement

Q1: A straight line has a gradient of -3/4 and passes through the point (32, 12). Work out the equation of the line. Q2: The diagram below shows point P and Line A. Line B is perpendicular to line A and passes through point P. What is the equation of line B?

Solution

To find the equation of line B, which is perpendicular to line A and passes through point P (3, 5), we start by determining the slope of line A.

From the equation of line A given as y=3x+8y = -3x + 8, the slope (mm) is 3-3. For a line to be perpendicular to another, its slope must be the negative reciprocal of the other line's slope. Thus, the slope of line B will be:

mB=1mA=13=13m_B = -\frac{1}{m_A} = -\frac{1}{-3} = \frac{1}{3}

With the slope of line B known as 13\frac{1}{3}, and using the point (3,5)(3, 5) through which line B passes, we can use the point-slope form of the equation of a line:

yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)

Plugging in the point and slope:

y5=13(x3)y - 5 = \frac{1}{3}(x - 3)

To convert this into the slope-intercept form (y=mx+by = mx + b), we'll solve for yy:

y=13x13+5y = \frac{1}{3}x - \frac{1}{3} + 5

y=13x+143y = \frac{1}{3}x + \frac{14}{3}

Thus, the equation of line B is:

y=13x+143y = \frac{1}{3}x + \frac{14}{3}

Would you like to go over any step in more detail or do you have any questions about this?

Here are some related questions:

  1. What would be the equation of a line parallel to line B?
  2. How would the graph change if the slope of line A were positive?
  3. Can you find the point of intersection between line A and line B?
  4. What happens to the equation of line B if point P is changed?
  5. How do you find the distance from a point to a line?

Tip: When checking if two lines are perpendicular, ensure that their slopes multiply to -1. This is a quick way to verify the relationship without needing a graph.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Equations
Slopes of Perpendicular Lines
Point-Slope Form
Slope-Intercept Form

Formulas

Point-Slope Form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)
Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b
Negative Reciprocal of the slope for perpendicular lines

Theorems

Perpendicular Line Slope Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11