Parallel & Perpendicular Lines

Perpendicular Lines

Example 2

Find the equation of the line perpendicular to x - 5y =15 that passes through the point (-2, 5).

Step 1. Rewrite the equation in slope-intercept form.

PerP_ex2-2

Step 2. Find the slope of the given line.

PerP_ex2-2

Step 3. Find the opposite reciprocal of the given slope.

m2 = -5

Step 4. Write an equation for a line with a slope m = -5 that passes through the point (-2, 5) using the point-slope form.

Perp_ex2-4

The equation of the perpendicular line is: Perp_ex2-5