Math Problem Statement
Find the slope of a line perpendicular to the line whose equation is 3, x, minus, 3, y, equals, 183x−3y=18. Fully simplify your answer.
Solution
We are given the equation of the line , and we need to find the slope of a line perpendicular to it.
Step 1: Rewrite the equation in slope-intercept form (), where is the slope.
We start with the given equation:
Solve for :
- Subtract from both sides:
- Divide the entire equation by to isolate :
The slope of the given line is the coefficient of , which is .
Step 2: Find the slope of the perpendicular line.
The slope of a line perpendicular to another is the negative reciprocal of the original slope. Since the slope of the original line is , the negative reciprocal of is .
Thus, the slope of the line perpendicular to the given line is:
Would you like a deeper explanation, or have any questions?
Here are some related questions to expand your understanding:
- What is the slope of a line parallel to ?
- How do you convert an equation into slope-intercept form in general?
- What is the geometric meaning of perpendicular slopes?
- Can the slope of a line be zero, and what does that represent?
- How do you find the slope of a vertical line?
Tip: The product of the slopes of two perpendicular lines is always .
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Algebra
Slope of a Line
Perpendicular Lines
Formulas
Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b
Perpendicular slope: -1/m
Theorems
The product of the slopes of two perpendicular lines is -1
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 8-10