Anyone help me? Equations of lines and word problem

[mpf189]

I am a complete idiot in math! I finished up my hw but don't know what to do with these 2 questions.

1. Find an equation of the line satisfying the given conditions
Through (6,8) and perpendicular to y=2x-3

2. In 1974, a total of 86,821 people from other countries immigrated to the state of California. In 2002, the number of immigrants was 291,216.

a) If the change in foreign immigration to California is considered to be linear, write an equation expressing the number of y immigrants in terms of the number of x years after 1994.

b) Assuming that your equation in part (a) remains accurate, use it to predict the foreign immigration to California in 2010.

c) When will the number of immigrants be 400,800?

Can anyone explain it hopefully get the answers? Seems easy but I am stumped and don't have my book with me. I completed the rest of the hw fine, but i dont even know where to start with this.

 

[pka]

That is a great set of problems.
If YOU can work them then you will learn a great deal!
Persnally I have know how to do these for over fifth years.
So you should show some effort on your part.
What have you done on these?

 

[mpf189]

heres what i have for the 1st problem,

m = -1/2

8= (-1/2) (6) + b
8= -3 + b
b = 11

Answer : y = -1/2x + 11

I feel like I did it wrong though.

 

[mpf189]

I think I might have got the 2nd one

a) y = 7299.8x + 232817

b) y = 349613.8

c) 2007

Can anyone check this for me?

 

[Mrspi]

heres what i have for the 1st problem,

m = -1/2

8= (-1/2) (6) + b
8= -3 + b
b = 11

Answer : y = -1/2x + 11

I feel like I did it wrong though.

Why do you feel this is wrong?

Does it have the correct slope to be perpendicular to y = 2x - 3?

Does the point (6, 8) lie on the line whose equation you've written?

If the answer to both of these questions is "Yes," then you know you've done the problem correctly.

A big part of success in mathematics is the ability to check one's own answers.....