Rectilinear shapesPerpendicular lines

Find the gradient, equations and intersections of medians, altitudes and perpendicular bisectors using our knowledge of the mid-point as well as parallel and perpendicular lines.

Part ofMathsAlgebraic and geometric skills

Perpendicular lines

Watch this video to learn about perpendicular lines.

Example

Show that the lines with equations \(4x + 2y - 8 = 0\) and \(2y = x + 1\) are perpendicular.

Solution

First rearrange each equation in the form \(y = mx + c\).

\(2y = x + 1\)

\(y = \frac{1}{2}x + \frac{1}{2}\)

Identify the first gradient:

\(gradient = \frac{1}{2}\)

\(4x + 2y - 8 = 0\)

\(2y = - 4x + 8\)

\(y = \frac{{ - 4}}{2}x + \frac{8}{2}\)

\(y = - 2x + 4\)

Identify the second gradient:

\(gradient = - 2\)

Complete the proof:

\({m_1} \times {m_2} = \frac{1}{2} \times ( - 2) = - 1\)

Hence lines are perpendicular.

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