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

3509 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Ayo is 7 years older than Hugo. Mel is twice as old as Ayo. The sum of their three ages is 77 Find the ratio of Hugo's age to Ayo's age to Mel's age.


What are the two roots of the equation (4x-8)(x-3) = 0?


How to find an original price from a reduced percentage.


Amber has an unfair coin. The probability of throwing a tail is p. Amber throws the coin twice and the probability of throwing a head and then a tail is 6/25. Heads are more likely than tails. Show that 25p^2-25p+6=0 and find the value of p.


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