Algebra Examples

Find the Perpendicular Line A line is perpendicular to y=4x-2 and intersects the point (4,-11) What is the equation of this perpendicular line?
A line is perpendicular to and intersects the point What is the equation of this perpendicular line?
Step 1
Write the problem as a mathematical expression.
,
Step 2
Use the slope-intercept form to find the slope.
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Step 2.1
The slope-intercept form is , where is the slope and is the y-intercept.
Step 2.2
Using the slope-intercept form, the slope is .
Step 3
The equation of a perpendicular line must have a slope that is the negative reciprocal of the original slope.
Step 4
Find the equation of the perpendicular line using the point-slope formula.
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Step 4.1
Use the slope and a given point to substitute for and in the point-slope form , which is derived from the slope equation .
Step 4.2
Simplify the equation and keep it in point-slope form.
Step 5
Write in form.
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Step 5.1
Solve for .
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Step 5.1.1
Simplify .
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Step 5.1.1.1
Rewrite.
Step 5.1.1.2
Simplify by adding zeros.
Step 5.1.1.3
Apply the distributive property.
Step 5.1.1.4
Combine and .
Step 5.1.1.5
Cancel the common factor of .
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Step 5.1.1.5.1
Move the leading negative in into the numerator.
Step 5.1.1.5.2
Factor out of .
Step 5.1.1.5.3
Cancel the common factor.
Step 5.1.1.5.4
Rewrite the expression.
Step 5.1.1.6
Multiply by .
Step 5.1.2
Move all terms not containing to the right side of the equation.
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Step 5.1.2.1
Subtract from both sides of the equation.
Step 5.1.2.2
Subtract from .
Step 5.2
Reorder terms.
Step 5.3
Remove parentheses.
Step 6