Find the value of a if the line 2y - ax + 4 = 0 is perpendicular to the line y + (x/4) - 7 = 0
The correct answer is C. 8
Two lines are perpendicular to each other if the product of their slopes is -1.
The given line is: \(2y - ax + 4 = 0\)
Let's first rearrange it to the slope-intercept form: \(y = \frac{a}{2}x - 2\)
The slope of the first line is: \(m_1 = \frac{a}{2}\)
The second line is: \(y + \frac{1}{4}x - 7 = 0\)
Rearranging it: \(y = -\frac{1}{4}x + 7\)
The slope of the second line is: \(m_2 = -\frac{1}{4}\)
For the lines to be perpendicular, their slopes must satisfy: \(m_1 \cdot m_2 = -1\)
Substitute the values of \(m_1\) and \(m_2\):
\(\frac{a}{2} \cdot \left(-\frac{1}{4}\right) = -1\)
Simplify:
\(\frac{-a}{8} = -1\)
Multiply both sides by -8:
\(a = 8\)
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