6.5 Negative Reciprocal v Negative Inverse

Great work yesterday!  I hope you were able to write some solid answers on questions #20 and #30 of the homework.  Regarding math vocabulary, I should be more specific with my own choice of words:

• When we are finding the slope of a line that is perpendicular to a given line, the textbook says to use the negative reciprocal.  I use the term negative inverse at times in the videos.  They are both ways of saying the same thing.
• The important thing is that you know to find the negative reciprocal (inverse).  

• An example would be:
• y = mx + b  where m = 5/1 , the negative reciprocal would be -1/5 (note the negative in front) not just 1/5 and not -5/1.  

• If you started with a negative slope it would become positive when you make an equation for the perpendicular line.  
• y = mx + b where m = -1/3, the perpendicular line would have a slope of 3/1 (positive)

As always, ask questions if that is unclear.  Thanks!