The slope of a line perpendicular to another line is a fundamental concept in algebra and geometry. When two lines intersect at a right angle, their slopes have a specific relationship that can be used to calculate one from the other. This relationship is expressed by the negative reciprocal rule, which states that the product of the slopes of two perpendicular lines equals -1 That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Understanding Slope
The slope of a line measures its steepness and direction. In the Cartesian plane, the slope ( m ) is defined as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run) between any two distinct points on the line:
[ m = \frac{\Delta y}{\
