Expert: Lynn Houston - 7/19/2010

Question
determine the equation of the line that is perpendicular to 5x-2y=10 and which passes through the point (5,1)

HELP. I'm totally drawing a blank on this.Thanks

Answer
start with the slope intercept form  y = mx + b and put the equation given into that form.

5x-2y=10
-2y = -5x + 10
y = 5/2x - 5

If the lines are perpendicular, then they have opposite and inverse slopes, so the line you're looking for has a slope of -2/5.  

Use the 2 pts given to find b

1 = -2/5(5) + b
1 = -2 + b
b = 3

There for the eq for the line perpendicular to 5x-2y=10 and which passes through the point (5,1)
is y = -2/5x + 3