Question

Line p and q are perpendicular lines. The slope of line p is 1/5.Determine the slope of line q

Answer 1

For two lines to be perpendicular, their slopes are defined to be negative reciprocals of each other; that is
`m_1 \cdot m_2 = -1`

Let
`m_1 = (1)/(5)`

`(1)/(5) \cdot m_2 = -1`

`m_2 = -(1)/((1)/(5))`

`m_2= -5`

Thus, the slope of line q must be -5.

Answer 2

perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes:
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slope of q = -1/(1/5)
slope of q = -1*(5/1)
slope of q = -5