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How do I find the slope of a perpendicular line?


For example, if -2 is the slope I use for parallel lines, what is the process that turns -2 to 1/2 for perpendicular lines?


I'm so confused. When I need to find equation for a line that is parallel to the given is super simple, but when I try to find an equation for a line that is perpendicular to the given I spend hours on finding the slope.

Verified Answer :

Yes, math can be challenging sometimes (mostly due to the horrible way its taught by teachers but I wont go on a rant about that today).

The Slope of a parallel line is obviously going to have the same slope as the line it is parallel to, which you already know.

But for perpendicular, how would we figure that out?

First, you need to understand whats going on.  Picture a linear line.  Now, look at the (0,0) point.  To make it perpendicular, it must form 90 degrees with the other line.  Now, to get the answer for a perpendicular line, you need to remember two steps.

1.) Change the sign to the opposite sign (negative would go positive and positive would go negative)

2.) You take the reciprocal of the line (That is what times that number would make that number equal one.  2 * 1/2 would be 1.  You can also look at this by switching the denominator and numerator.

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