Question

The slope of the line which is perpendicular to the line segment joining the points (8, −5) and (−4, 7) is ______.

Options

• −1

• 1

• 45°

• −45°

Answer 1

The slope of the line which is perpendicular to the line segment joining the points (8, −5) and (−4, 7) is 1.

Explanation:

By formula,

Slope = `(y_2 − y_1)/(x_2 − x_1)`

Substituting values we get:

Slope of line passing through (8, −5) and (−4, 7)

= `(7−(−5))/(−4−8)`

= `(7+5)/(−12)`

= `12/(−12)`

= −1

Let slope of line perpendicular to line segment joining points (8, −5) and (−4, 7) be m.

We know that,

Product of slopes of two perpendicular lines = −1

∴ m × −1 = −1

⇒ m = `(−1)/(−1)` = 1