Line k is defined by y = 3 x + 15 . Line j is perpendicular to line k in

Question

Line k is defined by y = 3 x + 15 . Line j is perpendicular to line k in the xy -plane. What is the slope of line j ?

Accepted Answer

Choice A is correct. It's given that line j is perpendicular to line k in the xy -plane. It follows that the slope of line j is the opposite reciprocal of the slope of line k . The equation for line k is written in slope-intercept form y = m x + b , where m is the slope of the line and b is the y -coordinate of the y -intercept of the line. It follows that the slope of line k is 3 . The opposite reciprocal of a number is - 1 divided by the number. Thus, the opposite reciprocal of 3 is - 1 3 . Therefore, the slope of line j is - 1 3 . Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Question 451c1b