how do you find the equation of a line perpendicular to another line at a point?

The gradient of the perpendicular line is the negative reciprocal of the gradient of the original line. For example if the gradient of the original line is 4, the gradient of the perpendicular line is -1/4. If the gradient of the original line is 1/2 , the gradient of the perpendicular line is -2 (=-2/1). The equation of the perpendicular line can then be found by substituting the gradient (m) and the given point (x,y) into the equation y=mx+c.(the reciprocal of a number is 1/that number)

FG
Answered by Frankie G. Maths tutor

3494 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Solve the simultaneous equations: 5x + y = 21 and x - 3y = 9


What is 3.25 plus 3 and 3/4?


There are 20 sweets in a bag, 5 are white and 15 are black. What is the probability that a sweet chosen at random will be white?


Given the function f(x) = 2x^(2) + 3, find the value of x when f(x) = 53.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning