We've updated our
Privacy Policy effective December 15. Please read our updated Privacy Policy and tap

TEXT
Unlock Solution Steps
Sign in to
Symbolab
Get full access to all Solution Steps for any math problem
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Use
and have read our Privacy Policy

Study Guides > College Algebra CoRequisite Course

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Learning Outcomes

  • Determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular given their equations
  • Find equations of lines that are parallel or perpendicular to a given line
The two lines in the graph below are parallel lines: they will never intersect. Notice that they have exactly the same steepness which means their slopes are identical. The only difference between the two lines is the y-intercept. If we shifted one line vertically toward the y-intercept of the other, they would become the same line.
Graph of two functions where the blue line is y = -2/3x + 1, and the baby blue line is y = -2/3x +7. Notice that they are parallel lines. Parallel lines.
The functions 2x plus 6 and negative 2x minus 4 are parallel. The functions 3x plus 2 and 2x plus 2 are not parallel. We can determine from their equations whether two lines are parallel by comparing their slopes. If the slopes are the same and the y-intercepts are different, the lines are parallel. If the slopes are different, the lines are not parallel. Unlike parallel lines, perpendicular lines do intersect. Their intersection forms a right or 90-degree angle. The two lines below are perpendicular.
Graph of two functions where the blue line is perpendicular to the orange line. Perpendicular lines.
Perpendicular lines do not have the same slope. The slopes of perpendicular lines are different from one another in a specific way. The slope of one line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the other line. The product of a number and its reciprocal is 1. If [latex]{m}_{1}\text{ and }{m}_{2}[/latex] are negative reciprocals of one another, they can be multiplied together to yield [latex]-1[/latex].

[latex]{m}_{1}*{m}_{2}=-1[/latex]

To find the reciprocal of a number, divide 1 by the number. So the reciprocal of 8 is [latex]\frac{1}{8}[/latex], and the reciprocal of [latex]\frac{1}{8}[/latex] is 8. To find the negative reciprocal, first find the reciprocal and then change the sign. As with parallel lines, we can determine whether two lines are perpendicular by comparing their slopes. The slope of each line below is the negative reciprocal of the other so the lines are perpendicular.

[latex]\begin{array}{ll}f\left(x\right)=\frac{1}{4}x+2\hfill & \text{negative reciprocal of }\frac{1}{4}\text{ is }-4\hfill \\ f\left(x\right)=-4x+3\hfill & \text{negative reciprocal of }-4\text{ is }\frac{1}{4}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

The product of the slopes is –1.

[latex]-4\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)=-1[/latex]

A General Note: Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Two lines are parallel lines if they do not intersect. The slopes of the lines are the same.

[latex]f\left(x\right)={m}_{1}x+{b}_{1}\text{ and }g\left(x\right)={m}_{2}x+{b}_{2}\text{ are parallel if }{m}_{1}={m}_{2}[/latex].

If and only if [latex]{b}_{1}={b}_{2}[/latex] and [latex]{m}_{1}={m}_{2}[/latex], we say the lines coincide. Coincident lines are the same line. Two lines are perpendicular lines if they intersect at right angles.

[latex]f\left(x\right)={m}_{1}x+{b}_{1}\text{ and }g\left(x\right)={m}_{2}x+{b}_{2}\text{ are perpendicular if }{m}_{1}*{m}_{2}=-1,\text{ and }{m}_{2}=-\frac{1}{{m}_{1}}[/latex].

tip for success

Be careful when discussing horizontal and vertical lines as being perpendicular by having slopes whose product is [latex]-1[/latex]. We can use the qualifying statement [latex]{m}_{2}=-\dfrac{1}{{m}_{1}}[/latex] above, though, to cover the case of horizontal and vertical lines. Ex. Certainly the lines [latex]x=c[/latex] and [latex]y=c[/latex] are perpendicular. The slope of the horizontal line is [latex]m_1=0[/latex]. The slope of the vertical line is [latex]m_2=\dfrac{1}{m_1}=\dfrac{1}{0}[/latex], which is undefined. But what about the requirement for negative, reciprocal slopes? In this case, the reciprocal characteristic holds. Since negativity is defined in proximity to zero, we may qualify this special case as perpendicular. But, when discussing function graphs that are perpendicular to each other, it makes no sense to discuss the possibility of horizontal and vertical functions. A vertical line fails to be a function by the vertical line test.

Example: Identifying Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Given the functions below, identify the functions whose graphs are a pair of parallel lines and a pair of perpendicular lines.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}f\left(x\right)=2x+3\hfill & \hfill & h\left(x\right)=-2x+2\hfill \\ g\left(x\right)=\frac{1}{2}x - 4\hfill & \hfill & j\left(x\right)=2x - 6\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Answer: Parallel lines have the same slope. Because the functions [latex]f\left(x\right)=2x+3[/latex] and [latex]j\left(x\right)=2x - 6[/latex] each have a slope of 2, they represent parallel lines. Perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes. Because −2 and [latex]\frac{1}{2}[/latex] are negative reciprocals, the equations, [latex]g\left(x\right)=\frac{1}{2}x - 4[/latex] and [latex]h\left(x\right)=-2x+2[/latex] represent perpendicular lines.

Analysis of the Solution

A graph of the lines is shown below.
Graph of four functions where the blue line is h(x) = -2x + 2, the orange line is f(x) = 2x + 3, the green line is j(x) = 2x - 6, and the red line is g(x) = 1/2x - 4. The graph shows that the lines [latex]f\left(x\right)=2x+3[/latex] and [latex]j\left(x\right)=2x - 6[/latex] are parallel, and the lines [latex]g\left(x\right)=\frac{1}{2}x - 4[/latex] and [latex]h\left(x\right)=-2x+2[/latex] are perpendicular.

Writing Equations of Parallel Lines

If we know the equation of a line, we can use what we know about slope to write the equation of a line that is either parallel or perpendicular to the given line. Suppose we are given the following function:

[latex]f\left(x\right)=3x+1[/latex]

We know that the slope of the line is 3. We also know that the y-intercept is (0, 1). Any other line with a slope of 3 will be parallel to f(x). The lines formed by all of the following functions will be parallel to f(x).

[latex]\begin{array}{l}g\left(x\right)=3x+6\hfill \\ h\left(x\right)=3x+1\hfill \\ p\left(x\right)=3x+\frac{2}{3}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Suppose then we want to write the equation of a line that is parallel to f and passes through the point (1, 7). We already know that the slope is 3. We just need to determine which value for b will give the correct line. We can begin by using point-slope form of an equation for a line. We can then rewrite it in slope-intercept form.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}y-{y}_{1}=m\left(x-{x}_{1}\right)\hfill \\ y - 7=3\left(x - 1\right)\hfill \\ y - 7=3x - 3\hfill \\ \text{}y=3x+4\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

So [latex]g\left(x\right)=3x+4[/latex] is parallel to [latex]f\left(x\right)=3x+1[/latex] and passes through the point (1, 7).

How To: Given the equation of a linear function, write the equation of a line WHICH passes through a given point and is parallel to the given line.

  1. Find the slope of the function.
  2. Substitute the slope and given point into point-slope or slope-intercept form.
  3. Simplify.

Example: Finding a Line Parallel to a Given Line

Find a line parallel to the graph of [latex]f\left(x\right)=3x+6[/latex] that passes through the point (3, 0).

Answer: The slope of the given line is 3. If we choose slope-intercept form, we can substitute [latex]m=3[/latex], [latex]x=3[/latex], and [latex]f(x)=0[/latex] into slope-intercept form to find the y-intercept.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}g\left(x\right)=3x+b\hfill \\ \text{}0=3\left(3\right)+b\hfill \\ \text{}b=-9\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

The line parallel to f(x) that passes through (3, 0) is [latex]g\left(x\right)=3x - 9[/latex].

Analysis of the Solution

We can confirm that the two lines are parallel by graphing them. The figure below shows that the two lines will never intersect. Graph of two functions where the blue line is y = 3x + 6, and the orange line is y = 3x - 9.

Writing Equations of Perpendicular Lines

We can use a very similar process to write the equation of a line perpendicular to a given line. Instead of using the same slope, however, we use the negative reciprocal of the given slope. Suppose we are given the following function:

[latex]f\left(x\right)=2x+4[/latex]

The slope of the line is 2, and its negative reciprocal is [latex]-\frac{1}{2}[/latex]. Any function with a slope of [latex]-\frac{1}{2}[/latex] will be perpendicular to f(x). The lines formed by all of the following functions will be perpendicular to f(x).

[latex]\begin{array}{l}g\left(x\right)=-\frac{1}{2}x+4\hfill \\ h\left(x\right)=-\frac{1}{2}x+2\hfill \\ p\left(x\right)=-\frac{1}{2}x-\frac{1}{2}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

As before, we can narrow down our choices for a particular perpendicular line if we know that it passes through a given point. Suppose that we want to write the equation of a line that is perpendicular to f(x) and passes through the point (4, 0). We already know that the slope is [latex]-\frac{1}{2}[/latex]. Now we can use the point to find the y-intercept by substituting the given values into the slope-intercept form of a line and solving for b.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}g\left(x\right)=mx+b\hfill \\ 0=-\frac{1}{2}\left(4\right)+b\hfill \\ 0=-2+b\hfill \\ 2=b\hfill \\ b=2\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

The equation for the function with a slope of [latex]-\frac{1}{2}[/latex] and a y-intercept of 2 is

[latex]g\left(x\right)=-\frac{1}{2}x+2[/latex].

So [latex]g\left(x\right)=-\frac{1}{2}x+2[/latex] is perpendicular to [latex]f\left(x\right)=2x+4[/latex] and passes through the point (4, 0). Be aware that perpendicular lines may not look obviously perpendicular on a graphing calculator unless we use the square zoom feature.

Q & A

A horizontal line has a slope of zero and a vertical line has an undefined slope. These two lines are perpendicular, but the product of their slopes is not –1. Doesn’t this fact contradict the definition of perpendicular lines? No. For two perpendicular linear functions, the product of their slopes is –1. However, a vertical line is not a function so the definition is not contradicted.

How To: Given the equation of a linear function, write the equation of a line WHICH passes through a given point and is Perpendicular to the given line.

  1. Find the slope of the given function.
  2. Determine the negative reciprocal of the slope.
  3. Substitute the new slope and the values for x and y from given point into [latex]g\left(x\right)=mx+b[/latex].
  4. Solve for b.
  5. Write the equation of the line.

Example: Finding the Equation of a Perpendicular Line

Find the equation of a line perpendicular to [latex]f\left(x\right)=3x+3[/latex] that passes through the point (3, 0).

Answer: The original line has slope [latex]m=3[/latex], so the slope of the perpendicular line will be its negative reciprocal, or [latex]-\frac{1}{3}[/latex]. Using this slope and the given point, we can find the equation for the line.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}g\left(x\right)=-\frac{1}{3}x+b\hfill \\ 0=-\frac{1}{3}\left(3\right)+b\hfill \\ \text{ }1=b\hfill \\ b=1\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

The line perpendicular to f(x) that passes through (3, 0) is [latex]g\left(x\right)=-\frac{1}{3}x+1[/latex].

Analysis of the Solution

A graph of the two lines is shown below. Graph of two functions where the blue line is g(x) = -1/3x + 1, and the orange line is f(x) = 3x + 6.

Try It

Using an online graphing calculator, create a line that passes through the points [latex](0,5)[/latex] and [latex](4,1)[/latex], call this [latex]f(x)[/latex]. Now create a line that is parallel to that first line, let's call this [latex]g(x)[/latex].
  1. For what y-intercept will the graph of [latex]g(x)[/latex] pass through the point [latex](-2,5)[/latex]?
  2. Add a new function, [latex]j(x)[/latex] that uses the slope [latex]m[/latex] that will create a line that is perpendicular to the function [latex]h(x)=mx-2[/latex].
  3. For what y-intercept will the new function pass through the point [latex](4,1)[/latex], and still be perpendicular to [latex]f(x)[/latex]

Answer:

  1. When the y-intercept is [latex](0,3)[/latex] the function will be [latex]g(x) = mx+3[/latex] and the function will pass through the point [latex](-2,5)[/latex].
  2. [latex]j(x)=\frac{-1}{m}x-2[/latex] for example. Any value for the y-intercept will work.
  3. The y-intercept [latex](0,-3)[/latex] will give a line perpendicular to [latex]h(x)[/latex] that passes through the point [latex](4,1)[/latex].

How To: Given two points on a line and a third point, write the equation of the perpendicular line that passes through the point.

  1. Determine the slope of the line passing through the points.
  2. Find the negative reciprocal of the slope.
  3. Use slope-intercept form or point-slope form to write the equation by substituting the known values.
  4. Simplify.

Example: Finding the Equation of a Line going through a point and Perpendicular to a Given Line

A line passes through the points (–2, 6) and (4, 5). Find the equation of a line that is perpendicular and passes through the point (4, 5).

Answer: From the two points of the given line, we can calculate the slope of that line.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{m}_{1}=\frac{5 - 6}{4-\left(-2\right)}\hfill \\ {m}_{1}=\frac{-1}{6}\hfill \\ {m}_{1}=-\frac{1}{6}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Find the negative reciprocal of the slope.

[latex]\begin{array}{l}{m}_{2}=\frac{-1}{-\frac{1}{6}}\hfill \\ {m}_{2}=-1\left(-\frac{6}{1}\right)\hfill \\ {m}_{2}=6\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

We can then solve for the y-intercept of the line passing through the point (4, 5).

[latex]\begin{array}{l}g\left(x\right)=6x+b\hfill \\ 5=6\left(4\right)+b\hfill \\ 5=24+b\hfill \\ -19=b\hfill \\ b=-19\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

The equation of the line that passes through the point (4, 5) and is perpendicular to the line passing through the two given points is [latex]y=6x - 19[/latex].

Try It

A line passes through the points, (–2, –15) and (2, –3). Find the equation of a perpendicular line that passes through the point, (6, 4).

Answer: [latex]y=-\frac{1}{3}x+6[/latex]

 

Licenses & Attributions

CC licensed content, Original

  • Revision and Adaptation. Provided by: Lumen Learning License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Parallel and Perpendicular Lines Interactive. Authored by: Lumen Learning. Located at: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/ygbmop3uyv. License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright.

CC licensed content, Shared previously

  • College Algebra. Provided by: OpenStax Authored by: Abramson, Jay et al.. Located at: https://openstax.org/books/college-algebra/pages/1-introduction-to-prerequisites. License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/[email protected].