Expert: Lynn Houston - 9/23/2008

Question
Write an equation for the line that goes through (-3,-1) and is perpendicular to y=-2/5x-4

Answer
If the line is perpendicular to y = -2/5x-4, then the slope of the line you're looking for is 5/2 (perpendicular lines have negative inverse slopes).  So, you're eq is going to look like y = 5/2x + b (where b is the y intercept).  To find b, put the 2 pts given into the eq and solve for b.  -1 = 5/2(-3) + b
-1 = -15/2 + b
13/2 = b

So, the eq you're looking for is y = 5/2x + 13/2