What is an equation of the line that passes through the point (1,6) and is perpendicular to the line x + 3y = 272

y = 3x + 3

Rules of Perpendicularity

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1 - Find your first equation

x + 3y = 272 | 1.1 - get y by itself by first subtracting x

-x          -x

     3y = -x + 272 | 1.2 - divide both sides by 3 and you've got it simplified

That 272 over 3 looks pretty intimidating, however, all we really care about is that slope

2 - Use the slope to find the perpendicular

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3 - Use the perpendicular y = mx + b to find b when it passes through said point

y = 3x + b must pass through (1, 6) or (x, y)

Plug x and y in

6 = 3(1) + b

6 = 3 + b

-3  -3

3 = b

4.) Rewrite y=mx+b form with the found b

y = 3x + 3

Hope this helps,

  - J.M.Jamon

        Pennsylvania State University

        Full-time B.S.CE. undergrad student

a² + b²= c²

24² + 7² = c²

c= 25