Question

Line $L$ passes through the points $(4,-5)$ and $(3,7)$. Find the slope of any line perpendicular to line $L$

• A. $\frac{1}{2}$
• B. $\frac{1}{4}$
• C. $\frac{1}{8}$
• D. $\frac{1}{12}$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $\frac{1}{12}$

Slope of the line passing through the points $(4,-5)$ and $(3,7)$ is given by:

$m=\frac{7-(-5)}{3-4}=\frac{7+5}{-1}=-12$

The slope of our first line is equal to $-12$.

Perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes, so if the slope of one is $x$, the slope of the other is $-\frac{1}{x}$ .

The negative reciprocal of $-12$ is equal to $\frac{1}{12}$, so that is the slope of our line.