Expert: Richard J. Raridon - 7/9/2010

Question
I need help solving these problems could you please provide step by step instructions so that I am able to understand.

1. Write an equation of the line containing the given point and perpendicular to the given line. Express the answer in the form of y=mx+b
(6,8); 3x+y=8
(4,-9); 9x+7y=8

the equation of the line is y=?

Answer
y = -3x+8 so the perpendicular line has a slope of 1/3
8 = (1/3)(6) +b so b = 6 and the new line is y = (1/3)x+6 or 3y = x+18
7y = -9x+8 so the perpendicalar line has a slope of 7/9
-9 = (7/9)(4) +b so b = -109/9 and the new line is y = (7/9)x -109/9 or 9y = 7x -109