Question

Determine whether the given linear equations are parallel, perpendicular, or neither. 5x - 3y = - 6 3x + 5y = - 20

Answer 1

We need to put these equations into y=mx+b format.
5x-3y=-6
-3y=-5x-6. (take 5x from both sides)
y=5/3 x +2 ( divide both sides by -3)
The slope is 5/3

3x+5y=-20
5y= -3x -20 (subtract 3x from both sides)
y=-3/5x -4 (divide both sides by 5)
The slope is -3/5

The slopes of perpendicular lines are the opposite (+/-) reciprocal. We have 5/3 and -3/5. This shows they are perpendicular.