Question

Write the equation of the line that is perpendicular to y = (4/5)x+2 and has a y-Intercept of -1.

Answer 1

ANSWER

$y=-\frac{5}{4}x-1$

EXPLANATION

We want to find the equation of the line that is perpendicular to:

$y=\frac{4}{5}x+2$

and has a y-intercept of -1.

A line that is perpendicular to another line has a slope that is the negative inverse of the given line.

The slope of the line given is:

$m=\frac{4}{5}$

Therefore, its negative inverse is:

$m=-\frac{5}{4}$

The general equation of a straight line is:

$y=mx+b$

where m = slope

b = y-intercept

Hence, the equation of the line perpendicular to the given line is:

$y=-\frac{5}{4}x-1$