find the slope of a line

[amp1053]

I’m good at doing these kind of problems, but I’m confused because we weren’t given the equation of a perpendicular line or points on the line. Here is the problem: the slope of line L is -1/3. What is an equation of a line that is perpendicular to line L?

I know that to find the new slope of a perpendicular line, you do the negative reciprocal of the old slope (-1/3 would change to 3). Then I just have the new equation as y=3x+b. Is there anything else I have to do or am missing? Thanks!

 

[MarkFL]

What you have done is perfect...you've found the family of lines perpendicular to line L. If you're supposed to narrow it down to one line, then just let the parameter \(b\) take on any real value of your choosing.

 

[amp1053]

What you have done is perfect...you've found the family of lines perpendicular to line L. If you're supposed to narrow it down to one line, then just let the parameter \(b\) take on any real value of your choosing.

Thank you so much!