What Does Perpendicular Mean in Math?

Perpendicular lines are lines that intersect each other at a right (90degress) angle.

What are Perpendicular lines?

Two different lines intersecting each other at 90°, or a right angle, are called perpendicular lines.

For example:

Here, PQ is perpendicular to XY because PQ and XY intersect each other at 90

Perpendicular Symbol?

Perpendicular lines are denoted by the symbol ‘⊥’. Suppose, P and Q are two lines intersecting each other at a right angle (90 degrees), then they are perpendicular to each other and are denoted by as P⊥ Q. The point of intersection of perpendicular lines is called the foot of intersection.

Difference between Parallel Lines and Perpendicular Lines.

Parallel lines	Perpendicular lines
Parallel lines are lines that are the same distance apart. Parallel lines do not intersect each other.	Perpendicular lines are lines that intersect each other at a 90° angle
The symbol used to denote by a parallel line is “||”	The symbol used to denote by a perpendicular line is “⊥”.

Perpendicular Lines Construction of

We can draw perpendicular lines for a given line in two method

• Using a protractor
• Using a compass

Using a protractor draw a perpendicular line

Step 1: Let P be the given line and A the given point on it.

Step 2: Place the protractor on the line m such that its baseline coincides with P, and its center falls on A.

Step 3: Mark a point B against the right angle (90 degrees) mark on the protractor.

Step 4: Draw a line Q passing through A and B.

Then line P⊥Q line n at A.

Using a compass drawing a perpendicular line

Steps 1: let L be the given line and p be a point on it

Step 2: with center p and any radius, draw a semicircle to intersect line L at A and B

Step 3 with B as a Centre and any radius more than PB, draw an arc.

Step4: with A as the Centre and the same radius, draw another arc, cutting the previous draw arc at Q.

Step 4: Join PQ

Then PQ is perpendicular to line L.