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Algebra - "Solve for x" Challenge

Problem Statement

Determine the equation of a straight line that has a y-intercept of 1, and which is perpendicular to the line that is represetned by the equation below:

\[ y = 2x + 3 \]

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the equation of a straight line that has a y-intercept of 1 and is perpendicular to the line represented by the equation \( y = 2x + 3 \), follow these steps:

Step 1: Determine the slope of the perpendicular line

The given line is \( y = 2x + 3 \). In this slope-intercept form, \( y = mx + b \), the slope \( m \) is 2.

For a line perpendicular to this one, the slope will be the negative reciprocal of 2.

\[ m_{\text{perpendicular}} = -\frac{1}{2} \]

Step 2: Use the slope-intercept form to write the new line's equation

The general form of the equation of a line is:

\[ y = mx + b \]

where \( m \) is the slope and \( b \) is the y-intercept.

Given: - The slope of the perpendicular line is \( -\frac{1}{2} \). - The y-intercept is 1.

Substitute these values into the slope-intercept form:

\[ y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 1 \]

Step 3: Write the final equation

The equation of the straight line that is perpendicular to \( y = 2x + 3 \) and has a y-intercept of 1 is:

\[ y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 1 \]

Solution:

  • Slope of the given line: 2
  • Slope of the perpendicular line: \(-\frac{1}{2}\)
  • Y-intercept of the perpendicular line: 1

Thus, the equation of the desired line is:

\[ y = -\frac{1}{2}x + 1 \]