Simple Calculus

• Aug 16th 2009, 10:37 PM
fvaras89
Simple Calculus
Find an equation for the line through (4,-1) and perpendicular to the line through (-2,3) and (3,7).

Please provide all steps as im very confused about what to do (Crying)
• Aug 16th 2009, 10:53 PM
pickslides
Quote:

Originally Posted by fvaras89
Find an equation for the line through (4,-1) and perpendicular to the line through (-2,3) and (3,7).

Please provide all steps as im very confused about what to do (Crying)

first of all find the gradient for the points (-2,3) and (3,7).

$m= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1} = \frac{7-3}{3-(-2)} = \frac{4}{5}$

perpendicualr gradient is $\frac{-1}{m} = \frac{-1}{\frac{4}{5}} = \frac{-5}{4}$

So the line $y=mx+c$ for the perpendicular becomes $y=\frac{-5}{4}x+c$

Now use (4,-1) to find c and you will have your answer....
• Aug 16th 2009, 10:58 PM
fvaras89
Thank you so much!!

Is it alright to have the final equation as

y+1 = -5/4 (x-4)?
• Aug 16th 2009, 11:03 PM
pickslides
Your answer is in the form $y-y_1 = m(x-x_1)$ which is fine.
$y=\frac{-5}{4}x+c$
$-1=\frac{-5}{4}\times 4+c$
$-1=-5+c$
$c=4 \Rightarrow y=\frac{-5}{4}x+4$