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Line [tex]\( m \)[/tex] has a [tex]\( y \)[/tex]-intercept of [tex]\( c \)[/tex] and a slope of [tex]\( \frac{p}{q} \)[/tex], where [tex]\( p \ \textgreater \ 0 \)[/tex], [tex]\( q \ \textgreater \ 0 \)[/tex], and [tex]\( p \neq q \)[/tex].

What is the slope of a line that is perpendicular to line [tex]\( m \)[/tex]?

A. [tex]\( \frac{q}{p} \)[/tex]
B. [tex]\( -\frac{q}{p} \)[/tex]
C. [tex]\( -\frac{p}{q} \)[/tex]
D. [tex]\( \frac{p}{q} \)[/tex]

Sagot :

To determine the slope of a line that is perpendicular to line [tex]\(m\)[/tex], we need to understand the relationship between the slopes of perpendicular lines.

Given:
- Line [tex]\(m\)[/tex] has a slope of [tex]\(\frac{p}{q}\)[/tex], where [tex]\(p > 0\)[/tex], [tex]\(q > 0\)[/tex], and [tex]\(p \neq q\)[/tex].

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. Identify the slope of line [tex]\(m\)[/tex]:
The slope of line [tex]\(m\)[/tex] is given as [tex]\(\frac{p}{q}\)[/tex].

2. Concept of Perpendicular Slopes:
If two lines are perpendicular, then the product of their slopes is [tex]\(-1\)[/tex]. Mathematically, if [tex]\(m_1\)[/tex] is the slope of one line, and [tex]\(m_2\)[/tex] is the slope of a line perpendicular to it, then:
[tex]\[ m_1 \cdot m_2 = -1 \][/tex]

3. Determine the Perpendicular Slope:
- Let [tex]\(m_1 = \frac{p}{q}\)[/tex].
- We need to find [tex]\(m_2\)[/tex], the slope of the line perpendicular to line [tex]\(m\)[/tex].

Using the relationship for perpendicular slopes:
[tex]\[ \frac{p}{q} \cdot m_2 = -1 \][/tex]

4. Solve for [tex]\(m_2\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ m_2 = -\frac{q}{p} \][/tex]

### Conclusion:
The slope of a line that is perpendicular to line [tex]\(m\)[/tex], which has a slope of [tex]\(\frac{p}{q}\)[/tex], is:
[tex]\[ m_2 = -\frac{q}{p} \][/tex]

Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{-\frac{q}{p}} \][/tex]