Question 126·Hard·Linear Equations in Two Variables
In the -plane, line passes through and . Line is perpendicular to the line through and . What is the value of ?
(Express the answer as an integer)
For line-and-slope problems, first compute any given slope using the formula . If lines are perpendicular, immediately replace this with its negative reciprocal for the new line’s slope. Then, write the slope of the line containing the unknown (like ) using its two points, set the two slope expressions equal, and solve the resulting simple linear equation in one variable. This keeps your work organized and avoids mixing up parallel and perpendicular relationships.
Hints
Start with the given line
Use the slope formula to find the slope of the line through and .
Use perpendicular slopes
Once you have the slope of the first line, remember that perpendicular lines have slopes whose product is . How can you use this to find the slope of line ?
Relate the two points with p
Write the slope of line using its two points and with the slope formula, and then set this equal to the perpendicular slope you found.
Solve the resulting equation
You will get a fraction involving set equal to a number. Clear the fraction by cross-multiplying and then isolate .
Desmos Guide
Compute the slope of the given line and its perpendicular
In Desmos, type m1 = (-4-4)/(3-(-1)) to get the slope of the line through (-1,4) and (3,-4). Then type m2 = -1/m1 to get the slope of the line perpendicular to it.
Express the slope of line n
In a new line, enter f(x) = (-1-5)/(9-x); this represents the slope of a line passing through (x,5) and (9,-1) as a function of x (this x plays the role of p).
Find the x-value that makes the slopes match
On another line, type y = m2. Then add a graph of y = f(x). The x-coordinate of the intersection point of these two graphs is the value of p that makes the slopes equal. Read that x-value from Desmos.
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the slope of the given line
Use the slope formula for the line through and :
So the slope of the line through and is .
Use perpendicular slope relationship
If two lines are perpendicular, the product of their slopes is .
Let the slope of line be . Then
Solve for :
So the slope of line must be .
Write the slope of line n using its two points
Line passes through and . Its slope is
This must equal the perpendicular slope you found in the previous step.
Set slopes equal and solve for p
Set the two expressions for the slope of line equal:
Cross-multiply:
Now solve for :
So the value of is .