Explore
Perpendicular Lines Flashcards
GCSE Mathematics (Edexcel) 1MA1
Ready to master these flashcards?
Sign in to study with spaced repetition and track your progress.
Sign In to Track ProgressTerms in this set (10)
Perpendicular lines
Two lines that intersect at a right angle (90°).
Gradient of perpendicular lines
The gradients of two perpendicular lines multiply to give -1.
Finding the gradient of a perpendicular line
If the gradient of one line is m, the gradient of a perpendicular line is -1/m.
Equation of a line
The equation of a straight line is written as y = mx + c, where m is the gradient and c is the y-intercept.
Perpendicular gradient example
If a line has a gradient of 2, the gradient of a perpendicular line is -1/2.
Identifying perpendicular lines from equations
Two lines are perpendicular if the product of their gradients is -1.
Perpendicular line through a point
To find the equation of a perpendicular line through a point, use the negative reciprocal of the original gradient and substitute the point into y = mx + c.
Perpendicular bisector
A line that is perpendicular to a line segment and passes through its midpoint.
Perpendicular lines on a graph
On a graph, perpendicular lines meet at a 90° angle.
Checking perpendicularity
To check if two lines are perpendicular, calculate their gradients and verify if their product is -1.
Want to Learn More?
Get personalised lessons, quizzes, and instant feedback from your AI tutor.
Start Learning