Difference between Perpendicular and Parallel Lines
The key differences between parallel and perpendicular lines are:
| Property | Parallel Lines | Perpendicular Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Lines that never intersect, maintaining the same distance apart. | Lines that intersect at a 90° angle, forming right angles. |
| Slope Relationship | Have the same slope. | Have slopes that are negative reciprocals of each other. |
| Intersection | Do not intersect, even when extended indefinitely. | Intersect at a 90° angle, forming four right angles. |
| Symbolic Representation | Denoted by (∥) between the lines. | Denoted by (⊥) between the lines. |
| Examples | Railroad tracks, sides of a rectangle. | Sides of a square, axes of a coordinate plane. |
| Slope Relationship Formula | m1 = m2, where m1 and m2 are slopes. | m1 ⋅m2 = −1, where m1 and m2 are slopes. |
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines are two sides of one coin. Perpendicular lines are intersecting lines, whereas parallel lines never intersect. Parallel lines in geometry are lines that never intersect and are always at the same distance from each other. On the other hand, perpendicular lines are lines that intersect each other at a right angle, forming a 90° angle. In this article, we will discuss these in detail, including examples and differences.
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