Math Problem Statement

Line p has an equation of y - 3 = 1/4(x + 1). Line q is perpendicular to line p and passes through (3, -6). What is the equation of line q?

Solution

To solve for the equation of line qq, we need to analyze the given information step-by-step.

Step 1: Determine the slope of line pp

The equation of line pp is given in point-slope form: y3=14(x+1)y - 3 = \frac{1}{4}(x + 1) To identify the slope, we recognize that the coefficient of (x+1)(x + 1) is the slope of line pp, which is: mp=14m_p = \frac{1}{4}

Step 2: Determine the slope of line qq

Line qq is perpendicular to line pp, which means its slope will be the negative reciprocal of the slope of pp. Thus: mq=1(14)=4m_q = -\frac{1}{\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)} = -4

Step 3: Use the point-slope form to find the equation of line qq

We know that line qq passes through the point (3,6)(3, -6) and has a slope of 4-4. Using the point-slope form yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1), we substitute m=4m = -4, x1=3x_1 = 3, and y1=6y_1 = -6: y(6)=4(x3)y - (-6) = -4(x - 3) This simplifies to: y+6=4(x3)y + 6 = -4(x - 3) Expanding and solving for yy in slope-intercept form: y+6=4x+12y + 6 = -4x + 12 y=4x+6y = -4x + 6

Final Answer

The equation of line qq in slope-intercept form is: y=4x+6y = -4x + 6

Would you like further clarification on any part of this solution?

Here are some related questions to extend this concept:

  1. What would the equation be if line qq were parallel to line pp instead of perpendicular?
  2. How would the equation change if line qq passed through a different point, such as (5,2)(5, -2)?
  3. What is the interpretation of the y-intercept in the equation of line qq?
  4. How can we convert the slope-intercept form of line qq back to point-slope form?
  5. What would be the effect on the equation if the slope of line pp was negative initially?

Tip: For perpendicular lines, always remember that their slopes multiply to 1-1 because they are negative reciprocals of each other.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Geometry
Coordinate Geometry
Equations of Lines

Formulas

Point-slope form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)
Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b

Theorems

Slope of Perpendicular Lines: The slopes of two perpendicular lines multiply to -1.

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10