Algebra 1 : Perpendicular Lines

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #32 : How To Find The Slope Of Perpendicular Lines

Find the slope of the line perpendicular to

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A line perpendicular to another line has a slope that is the negative reciprocal of the other. In our case, the line given has a slope of  ( in the form ), so the line perpendicular to it must have a slope equal to .

Example Question #33 : How To Find The Slope Of Perpendicular Lines

Given the following equation:  , what is the slope of the line perpendicular to this line?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We will need to rewrite this equation given in standard form to slope intercept form.

Subtract  on both sides.

Simplify.

Divide by three on both sides.

The slope of this line is:  

The perpendicular slope is the negative reciprocal of this slope.

The answer is:  

Example Question #34 : How To Find The Slope Of Perpendicular Lines

What's the slope of the line perpendicular to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When finding the slope of a perpendicular line, we need to ensure we have  form. 

 stands for slope.

Our  is .

To find the perpendicular slope, we need to take the negative reciprocal of that value which is .

Example Question #35 : How To Find The Slope Of Perpendicular Lines

What is the slope of the line perpendicular to the equation ?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When finding the slope of a perpendicular line, we need to ensure we have  form. 

 

We need to solve for .

By subtracting  both sides and dividing  on both sides, we get 

  

Recall that  stands for slope.

Our  is .

To find the perpendicular slope, we need to take the negative reciprocal of that value which is .

Example Question #36 : How To Find The Slope Of Perpendicular Lines

What is the slope of a line perpendicular to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When finding the slope of a perpendicular line, we need to ensure we have  form. 

 

We need to solve for .

By subtracting  both sides and dividing  on both sides, we get 

  

Recall that  stands for slope.

Our  is .

To find the perpendicular slope, we need to take the negative reciprocal of that value which is .

Example Question #37 : How To Find The Slope Of Perpendicular Lines

Which of the following best represents the slope of the perpendicular line given the equation, ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The given equation is already in slope-intercept form, , which provides the slope.

The slope of the perpendicular line is the negative reciprocal of this slope.

Substitute the given slope.

The answer is:  

Example Question #38 : How To Find The Slope Of Perpendicular Lines

Find the slope of a line perpendicular to a line with the equation: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When finding the slope of a perpendicular line, the slope will be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given equation. 

In order to determine the slope from the given equation we need to make sure that it is written in the following format:

If the equation of a line is written in the slope-intercept form, then  is slope and  is the y-intercept.

The slope is ; therefore, the slope of the perpendicular line is .

Example Question #3591 : Algebra 1

Find the slope of a line perpendicular to a line with the equation: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When finding the slope of a perpendicular line, the slope will be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given equation. 

In order to determine the slope from the given equation we need to make sure that it is written in the following format:

If the equation of a line is written in the slope-intercept form, then  is slope and  is the y-intercept.

In this case, we need to convert the equation into slope-intercept form.

 

Subtract  from both sides. 

 

Divide both sides by .

Rewrite.

Identify the slope.

The slope is ; therefore, the slope of the perpendicular line is .

Example Question #3591 : Algebra 1

Find the slope of a line perpendicular to a line with the equation: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When finding the slope of a perpendicular line, the slope will be the negative reciprocal of the slope of the given equation. 

In order to determine the slope from the given equation we need to make sure that it is written in the following format:

If the equation of a line is written in the slope-intercept form, then  is slope and  is the y-intercept.

The slope of  is . The slope of the perpendicular line is , which is the same as .

Example Question #61 : Perpendicular Lines

What must be the slope of a line that is perpendicular to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The equation  is a vertical line, which means there is a zero denominator for the run.   The slope is undefined for vertical lines.

The perpendicular line will intersect this equation with a ninety degree angle, which means that the line is rotated ninety degrees, and will form a horizontal line.  Recall that the slopes of horizontal lines are zero.

The slope of a line perpendicular to  is zero.

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