Question

Lines p and q are perpendicular. If the slope of line p is 2, what is the slope of line q?

Answer 1

If the slope of one line is 2, and the other line is perpendicular, the other line's slope is the negative reciprocal of 2, or -1/2 :)

Answer 2

For this case we define the following variables:

• mp: slope of the line p
• mq: slope of the line q

By definition, since the lines are perpendicular, it follows that:

$mp * mq = -1$

Substituting values we have:

$2 * mq = -1$

From here, we clear the value of the slope of the line q:

$mq = - \frac {1} {2}$

Answer:

The slope of line is:

$mq = - \frac {1} {2}$