16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardUnknown coordinate from two perpendicular segments

Algebra practice question

In the xy-plane, the line through (1, 2) and (4, k) is perpendicular to the line through (0, 0) and (3, −1). What is the value of k?

Answer: 11

The second line has slope −1/3, so the first has slope 3: (k − 2)/(4 − 1) = 3 gives k = 11.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 1
1 uses slope −1/3 (parallel, not perpendicular).
If you answered 3
3 uses slope 1/3.
If you answered -7
−7 uses slope −3.

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