Question

Is the entire equation of a parallel line the negative reciprocal of the line, or just the slope?

3x-2 does it have to be -1/3x+1/2 or can it just be 1/3x-2 or whatever y int

Answer 1

Just the slope

Explanation:

Usually for perpendicular line problems, you're either given the slope of one line or have to find it by converting from standard form to slope-intercept form. Then, you use a formula like m2 = -1/m1, where m2 is the slope of the other line and m1 is the slope of the line you're given/have found.

In order to find the y-intercept of the other line, the problem usually gives you a coordinate through which the line passes. Then, when find the slope of the other line, you plug in the coordinates into the slope-intercept form to find the y-intercept.

And of course, there are some problems that only focus on slope and disregard finding the entire line.