Question 50·200 Super-Hard SAT Math Questions·Algebra
In the given pair of equations, and are constants. The graph of this pair of equations in the -plane is a pair of perpendicular lines. Which choice of the following pairs of equations also represents a pair of perpendicular lines? © anіko.aі
When a problem tells you two lines are perpendicular but includes unknown constants, immediately translate the statement into a slope condition: slope slope. For , the slope is , so you can find slopes quickly without fully solving for . Use the given perpendicular information to get a ratio like , then test each option by computing its two slopes and checking whether they are negative reciprocals. © anikο.аi
Hints
Find slopes from standard form
For a line written as , the slope is (you don’t need to fully solve for each time).
Use the perpendicular slope rule
If two lines are perpendicular, their slopes multiply to .
Turn the given information into a ratio
Use the fact that is perpendicular to to find a relationship between and , then use that relationship to test the options.
Desmos Guide
Choose values for and that satisfy the perpendicular condition
From the given perpendicular lines, you can use the relationship .
In Desmos, define a parameter and set Ѕοurce: anікo.aі
Then set (so and ).
Graph one answer choice at a time
For each option, substitute and into its two equations and graph both lines.
(Example format: type each equation directly, like .)
Decide which option shows a right angle
Use the grid to judge whether the two lines meet at a right angle. The correct option is the only one whose two graphed lines are perpendicular when and .
Step-by-step Explanation
Use slopes to relate and
Rewrite each line in slope form conceptually: for , the slope is .
For , the slope is
For , the slope is .
Perpendicular lines have slopes whose product is , so
Solve for the ratio
From
multiply both sides by :
So
Check each option using slopes and the ratio
Now use , which also implies .
Compute slopes for each line in an option using slope and see whether the two slopes multiply to .
Identify the perpendicular pair
For the pair
has slope .
has slope .
Using , the product of slopes is
so these two lines are perpendicular. Therefore, the correct choice is: Рrepаrеd by Аnikο.аі