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Which line is perpendicular to a line that has a slope of [tex]-\frac{1}{3}[/tex]?

A. line MN
B. line AB
C. line EF
D. line JK


Sagot :

To determine which line is perpendicular to a line with a slope of [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}\)[/tex], we need to understand the relationship between the slopes of perpendicular lines. The slope of a line perpendicular to another line is the negative reciprocal of the original line's slope.

1. Original Slope: The slope of the given line is [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}\)[/tex].

2. Negative Reciprocal: To find the negative reciprocal:
- First, take the reciprocal of [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}\)[/tex]. The reciprocal of [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}\)[/tex] is [tex]\(-3\)[/tex], because [tex]\(\frac{1}{-\frac{1}{3}} = -3\)[/tex].
- Then, take the negative of [tex]\(-3\)[/tex], which is [tex]\(3\)[/tex].

Thus, the slope of the line that is perpendicular to the original line is [tex]\(3\)[/tex].

Since we are asked which specific line (MN, AB, EF, JK) is perpendicular, and we know the perpendicular slope is [tex]\(3\)[/tex], any one of the mentioned lines with a slope of [tex]\(3\)[/tex] will be the correct answer. Given the context and without further information about the slopes of the named lines, we have determined the perpendicular slope is indeed [tex]\(3\)[/tex].

Therefore, a line that is perpendicular to the given line (with slope [tex]\(-\frac{1}{3}\)[/tex]) must have a slope of [tex]\(3\)[/tex].