Question

A line has x-intercept -8 and y-intercept 5. Determine the slope of a line perpendicular to this line.

Answer 1

- 8/5

Explanation:

A line has x-intercept -8 and y-intercept 5.

It means the line has passes through:

• (-8, 0) and (0, 5)

Slope as per slope formula:

• m = (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)
• m = (5 - 0)/(0 + 8) = 5/8

Perpendicular lines have slopes negative reciprocal to each other

So the slope of the perpendicular line is:

• m = -1/(5/8) = - 8/5