16Hit1600
AlgebraVery hardPerpendicular function's constant term

Algebra practice question

The linear function f is defined by f(x) = (1/3)x + 2. The graph of the linear function g is perpendicular to the graph of f and passes through (3, 5). What is the value of g(0)?

Answer: 14

The perpendicular slope is −3. g(x) = −3x + c with g(3) = 5 gives c = 14.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4
4 uses the slope 1/3 (parallel, not perpendicular).
If you answered 6
6 uses slope −1/3, the negative but not the reciprocal.
If you answered -4
−4 uses slope 3, the reciprocal but not the negative.

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