Line segments ( ) and ( ) have the endpoints indicated. Use the slope formula to determine if the segments are parallel, perpendicular or simply intersect. A(-1, 4) B(1, -6)
C(-5, 0) D(5, 2)
A) parallel
B) perpendicular
C) intersect

Question

Line segments (  ) and (  ) have the endpoints indicated. Use the slope formula to determine if the segments are parallel, perpendicular or simply intersect. A(-1, 4) B(1, -6)
C(-5, 0) D(5, 2)
A) parallel 
B) perpendicular 
C) intersect

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To determine if the segments are parallel, perpendicular or simply intersect, we need to calculate the slopes of both lines.

The slope of (A,B) is:

m1 = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
m1 = (-6 - 4) / (1 - -1)
m1 = -10 / 2
m1 = -5

The slope of (C,D) is:

m2 = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
m2 = (2 - 0) / (5 - -5)
m2 = 2 / 10
m2 = 1/5

If the slopes are equal, the lines are parallel. If the slopes are negative reciprocals of each other, the lines are perpendicular. Otherwise, the lines intersect.

m1 = -5 and m2 = 1/5

Since the slopes are negative reciprocals of each other, the lines are perpendicular. Therefore, the answer is B.

Line Segments ( ) and ( ) Have