1. What is the Perpendicular Slope?

The perpendicular slope is the negative reciprocal of the original slope. If two lines are perpendicular, the product of their slopes equals -1.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the perpendicular slope formula:

Where:

• \( m_1 \) — Original slope
• \( m_2 \) — Perpendicular slope

Explanation: This formula calculates the slope of a line that is perpendicular to a given line with slope m1.

3. Importance of Perpendicular Slope

Details: Perpendicular slopes are essential in geometry, coordinate geometry, and various engineering applications where right angles and orthogonal relationships are required.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the original slope value. The slope cannot be zero (division by zero error). The calculator will compute the perpendicular slope.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if the original slope is zero?
A: A slope of zero represents a horizontal line. The perpendicular to a horizontal line is a vertical line, which has an undefined slope (cannot be calculated numerically).

Q2: What is the perpendicular slope of a vertical line?
A: A vertical line has an undefined slope. The perpendicular to a vertical line is a horizontal line with a slope of zero.

Q3: How do I verify if two slopes are perpendicular?
A: Multiply the two slopes. If the product equals -1, then the lines are perpendicular.

Q4: Does this work for fractional slopes?
A: Yes, the formula works for any real number slope value except zero.

Q5: What are some practical applications of perpendicular slopes?
A: Used in construction (right angles), computer graphics, navigation, and various engineering designs requiring orthogonal components.