Algebra One?

Question

I will put this with each of my questions today, I am out of school, I am trying to re-teach myself algebra which is a little difficult when you haven't done it in some time, so as I work through a problem I use yahoo answers to check it to see if I did it correctly. thank you for all your help :)

Write an equation in slope- intercept form of a line with the following characteristics. Perpendicular to the graph of:
y = 3/2x - 3 with a y-intercept of 5.

Answer 1

A linear equation in slope-intercept form is y = mx + b, where m is slope and b is the y-intercept.

Perpendicular lines have opposite reciprocal slope. The slope of the original line is 3/2, and the opposite reciprocal of that slope is -2/3. We are given the y-intercept of 5, making the new line y = (-2/3)x + 5.

Answer 2

Lines that are perpendicular to each other have slopes that are negative reciprocals of each other. Always.
We write this fact in mathematical language as:
If slope of L1=m, slope of L2=-1/m

The equation of a straight line, when written in slope-intercept form, allows you to pick off the slope and the y-intercept just by looking at the equation.
Mind you, the equation has to be expressed in a very particular way. This particular way is Y = mX +b.
When in this form, m is the line's slope and b is the y- intercept. Where most students go wrong is failing to note that it MUST be +1y all by itself on the left side of the equation. Unless you assure this condition, nothing can be done.

Now, to your problem. They want the equation of the line that is perpendicular to y=3/2x -3, and has a y-intercept of 5

The line you are given has a slope of 3/2. I know this because the line is already written in correct slope-intercept form, so its slope is the co-efficient of the x term.
The line you have to find therefore has a slope of -2/3. The equation is y= - 2/3x + b
You are told that b (the y-intercept) is 5.Therefore your final answer is y = -2/3x + 5

A final caution. As you post more questions, you must be absolutely clear when writing any math expressions. Many people who could help you won't bother if your question is ambiguous.
For example, you have written 3/2x in your question.
We take that to mean 3/(2x), whereas you really meant (3/2)x. I do not wish to come across as "picky".
If you have the guts to re-teach yourself, my hat is off
to you, and I for one hope you succeed.
Good luck!

Answer 3

line equation
y = mx+b

perpendicular to the line y=(3/2)x -3 means
m* (3/2) = -1

so, m = - 2/3

therefore,
y = (-2/3)x + b

a y-intercept of 5 means the line passes through the point (0,5), so
y = (-2/3)x + b
5 = (-2/3)0 + b
b = 5

Finally,
y = (-2/3)x + 5