Find the equation of the straight line which passes through the point (0, 3) and is perpendicular to the straight line with equation y = 2x.

We know that a straight line has a general formula: y = mx+c, where m is the gradient of the line and c is the y-intercept; so, we are looking to find m and c. 

The line passes through the point (0,3) so x=0 and y = 3; thus, we substitute

3 = m * 0 + c; 

c = 3;

so, y = mx+3;

If y = mx+3 and y = 2x are perpendicuar, we know that the gradients of the 2 lines are negative reciprocals to each other and we can write m as:

m = -1/2;

Hence, y = -1/2x+3

FM
Answered by Flavian M. Maths tutor

21984 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A pen is the shape of an equilateral triangle. A goat is attached to a corner of the pen on a rope. The goat eats all the grass it can reach. It can just reach the opposite fence of the pen. What percentage of the grass in the pen does the goat eat?


Sean wants to go on holiday. He is going to get a loan of £ 720 to help pay for the holiday. Sean will have to pay back the £ 720 plus interest of 15 %. He will pay this back in 12 equal monthly installments. How much money will Sean pay back each month?


A ship is 180 kilometres away from a port P on a bearing of 63 degrees. Another ship is 245 kilometres away from port P on a bearing of 146 degrees. Calculate the distance between the two ships.


There are 16 hockey teams in a league. Each team played two matches against each of the other teams. Work out the total number of matches played.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning