The two points (4,9) and (2,3) are on line A. A second line, line B is perpendicular to line A and goes through the point (2,3). What is the equation of line B?

Step 1, find the gradient of line A: gradient = change in y/change in x = (y1 - y2) / (x1 - x2) = 9-3/4-2 = 6/2 = 3Step 2, find the gradient of line B: as the two lines are perpendicular, the gradient of line B is the negative reciprocal of line A. Therefore you must multiply the gradient of line A by -1 then divide 1 by this value. i.e. if gradient of A = m then gradient of B = -1/m. So as gradient of line A is 3 , the gradient of line B is -1/3.Step 3, find the y-intercept of line B: the general equation of a line is y = mx + c and the gradient of line B is -1/3 so general equation is now y = -1/3x + c. From the question, we know line B goes through the point (2,3) so you can substitute these points into the line equation to find out c (y-intercept). y = 3 and x =2 so y = -1/3x + c is now 3 = (-1/3*2) + c, 3 = -2/3 + c, 11/3 = cOverall: y = -1/3x + 11/3

GW
Answered by Georgia W. Maths tutor

3078 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

3/5 of a number is 162. Work out the number.


Billy wants to buy 10kg of the same oranges. Type A comes in bags of 1.25 kg and costs £1.50. Type B comes in bags of 5kg and used to cost £6.60 but are now 15% off. Which type is more worth it for Billy and how much does it cost?


Anna and Lionel share $675 in the ratio 4 : 5 Lionel gives 3 5 of his share of the money to his mother. How much money does Lionel give to his mother?


In a class there are 57 students. Of these 32 study Spanish, 40 study German and 12 students study neither. How many students study Spanish but not German?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning