Question

How do you find the slope perpendicular to (-7,2) and (5,-12)?

Answer 1

`m_("perpendicular")=6/7`

Explanation:

`"given a line with slope m then the slope of a line"`
`"perpendicular to it is "`

`•color(white)(x)m_(color(red)"perpendicular")=-1/m`

`"to calculate m use the "color(blue)"gradient formula"`

`•color(white)(x)m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

`"let "(x_1,y_1)=(-7,2)" and "(x_2,y_2)=(5,-12)`

`rArrm=(-12-2)/(5-(-7))=(-14)/(12)=-7/6`

`rArrm_(color(red)"perpendicular")=-1/(-7/6)=6/7`