Properties of Perpendicular Lines

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 120 views

Introduction

In mathematics, the point-slope form of a linear equation is a powerful tool for describing lines in a coordinate plane. It is defined as $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$ , where $(x_1, y_1)$ is a point on the line and $m$ is the slope of the line. In this article, we will explore how to identify an equation in point-slope form for a line perpendicular to a given line that passes through a specific point.

Understanding the Problem

The problem requires us to find the equation of a line that is perpendicular to the line $y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 11$ and passes through the point $(4, -8)$ . To solve this problem, we need to recall the properties of perpendicular lines and how to find the equation of a line in point-slope form.

Properties of Perpendicular Lines

Two lines are perpendicular if their slopes are negative reciprocals of each other. In other words, if the slope of one line is $m$ , then the slope of the perpendicular line is $-\frac{1}{m}$ . In this case, the slope of the given line is $-\frac{1}{2}$ , so the slope of the perpendicular line is $2$ .

Finding the Equation of the Perpendicular Line

Now that we know the slope of the perpendicular line, we can use the point-slope form to find its equation. The point-slope form is given by $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$ , where $(x_1, y_1)$ is a point on the line and $m$ is the slope of the line. In this case, we know that the line passes through the point $(4, -8)$ , so we can substitute these values into the equation.

Substituting Values into the Equation

Substituting the values of $x_1 = 4$ , $y_1 = -8$ , and $m = 2$ into the equation, we get:

y - (-8) = 2(x - 4)

Simplifying the equation, we get:

y + 8 = 2(x - 4)

Comparing the Result with the Answer Choices

Now that we have found the equation of the perpendicular line, we can compare it with the answer choices to see which one matches. The answer choices are:

A. $y + 8 = \frac{1}{2}(x - 4)$ B. $y - 8 = \frac{1}{2}(x + 4)$ C. $y + 8 = 2(x - 4)$ D. $y - 4 = 2(x + 8)$

Comparing the result with the answer choices, we see that the correct answer is:

C. $y + 8 = 2(x - 4)$

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to identify an equation in point-slope form for a line perpendicular to a given line that passes through a specific point. We have used the properties of perpendicular lines and the point-slope form to find the equation of the perpendicular line. We have also compared the result with the answer choices to see which one matches. The correct answer is C. $y + 8 = 2(x - 4)$ .

Key Takeaways

The point-slope form of a linear equation is a powerful tool for describing lines in a coordinate plane.
Two lines are perpendicular if their slopes are negative reciprocals of each other.
The equation of a line in point-slope form is given by $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$ , where $(x_1, y_1)$ is a point on the line and $m$ is the slope of the line.
To find the equation of a line perpendicular to a given line that passes through a specific point, we need to recall the properties of perpendicular lines and use the point-slope form.

Practice Problems

Find the equation of the line perpendicular to $y = 2x + 3$ that passes through the point $(1, -2)$ .
Find the equation of the line perpendicular to $y = -3x + 2$ that passes through the point $(4, 5)$ .
Find the equation of the line perpendicular to $y = \frac{1}{2}x - 1$ that passes through the point $(3, 2)$ .

Solutions

The equation of the line perpendicular to $y = 2x + 3$ that passes through the point $(1, -2)$ is $y + 2 = -\frac{1}{2}(x - 1)$ .
The equation of the line perpendicular to $y = -3x + 2$ that passes through the point $(4, 5)$ is $y - 5 = \frac{1}{3}(x - 4)$ .
The equation of the line perpendicular to $y = \frac{1}{2}x - 1$ that passes through the point $(3, 2)$ is $y - 2 = -2(x - 3)$ .

References

[1] "Point-Slope Form of a Linear Equation." Math Open Reference, mathopenref.com/point-slope.html.
[2] "Perpendicular Lines." Math Is Fun, mathisfun.com/algebra/perpendicular-lines.html.
[3] "Equation of a Line in Point-Slope Form." Purplemath, purplemath.com/modules/lineeqps.htm.
Q&A: Identifying Equations in Point-Slope Form =====================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to identify an equation in point-slope form for a line perpendicular to a given line that passes through a specific point. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to identifying equations in point-slope form.

Q: What is the point-slope form of a linear equation?

A: The point-slope form of a linear equation is a powerful tool for describing lines in a coordinate plane. It is defined as $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$ , where $(x_1, y_1)$ is a point on the line and $m$ is the slope of the line.

Q: How do I find the equation of a line in point-slope form?

A: To find the equation of a line in point-slope form, you need to know the slope of the line and a point on the line. You can use the point-slope form formula: $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$ , where $(x_1, y_1)$ is the point on the line and $m$ is the slope of the line.

Q: What is the slope of a line perpendicular to a given line?

A: The slope of a line perpendicular to a given line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given line. In other words, if the slope of the given line is $m$ , then the slope of the perpendicular line is $-\frac{1}{m}$ .

Q: How do I find the equation of a line perpendicular to a given line that passes through a specific point?

A: To find the equation of a line perpendicular to a given line that passes through a specific point, you need to recall the properties of perpendicular lines and use the point-slope form. You can use the following steps:

Find the slope of the given line.
Find the slope of the perpendicular line (which is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given line).
Use the point-slope form formula to find the equation of the perpendicular line.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when identifying equations in point-slope form?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when identifying equations in point-slope form include:

Not using the correct formula (point-slope form: $y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)$ )
Not substituting the correct values into the formula
Not simplifying the equation correctly
Not checking the answer choices carefully

Q: How can I practice identifying equations in point-slope form?

A: You can practice identifying equations in point-slope form by:

Working through practice problems
Using online resources (such as math websites or apps)
Asking a teacher or tutor for help
Joining a study group or math club

Q: What are some real-world applications of identifying equations in point-slope form?

A: Identifying equations in point-slope form has many real-world applications, including:

Calculating the slope of a roof or a road
Determining the angle of a building or a bridge
Finding the equation of a line that passes through two points
Solving problems in physics, engineering, and other fields that involve linear equations.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to identifying equations in point-slope form. We hope that this article has been helpful in clarifying any confusion and providing additional practice and resources for identifying equations in point-slope form.