As the slope of X-axis is zero and slope of Y-axis is infinite. The product of slopes of any two perpendicular lines is -1.
2006-08-09 23:03:38 · 23 answers · asked by Prem 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
In conventional (Cartesian) coordinates, the X and Y axes are perpendicular. You of course can invent (and define?) your own coordinate system(s) for special purposes.
2006-08-09 23:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by Kes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since you are asking this, I assume that you are taking an intro to algebra course. If you look in your text where it talks about perpendicular lines having slopes which are opposite reciprocals, you will certainly see that it is only valid if both slopes are defined. It then will go on to say that all horizontal lines are perpendicular to all vertical lines. The x-axis is horizontal and the y-axis is vertical so they are perpendicular.
As an above poster points out, rather than using the slopes there are other methods of showing two lines are perpendicular which get around this particular problem.
2006-08-10 19:46:17 · answer #2 · answered by AnyMouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yaaaaaar indeed x-axis is perpendicular to y-axis.the thing is that in the very definition,product of slopes of two perpendicular lines is -1 provided none of the 2 r the axis
2006-08-12 13:18:21 · answer #3 · answered by pavan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when we consider the definition of a slope of a line perpendicular we also use a condition saying" none of them is parallel to either of the axis"so it is an exception while finding the slope of the axis when it is true that both the x and y axis are perpendicular to each other.
2006-08-10 07:30:57 · answer #4 · answered by vaish 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The slope of one line is tan(theta) where theta is the angle with the x axis. The slope of the perpendicular line is -1/tan(theta). The product is -1 whenever both tan(theta) or 1./tan(theta) are finite; otherwise it doesn't make sense. The better way to check for perpendicularity is to check the dot product, which is zero for the x and y axes.
2006-08-10 06:34:33 · answer #5 · answered by jm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The slope of the y axis is *not* infinite. It is undefined. More properly, as a line approaches vertical, its slope increases (positive or negative) without bound.
Doug
2006-08-10 06:39:57 · answer #6 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, x axis is perpendicular to y axis
2006-08-12 07:25:49 · answer #7 · answered by PREETAM W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Cartesian co ordinate system yes they are mutually perpendicular. Bout one could create reference axis that are oblique.
2006-08-10 12:27:19 · answer #8 · answered by Dr M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow a question which can be extremely complicated or extemely simple to answer. I'll choose the better solution which is simple-------------- "X axis is perpendicular to Y axis."
2006-08-10 07:44:34 · answer #9 · answered by veeru_pahari 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know about slope but x-axis is perpendicular to y-axis.that what i learned in school
2006-08-10 06:13:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
taking about the slopes ,slope of y axis is not defined and
use geometry to get the result not calculus
they are standard assumtions u can define ur own co-ordinate system
speaking about perpendiclarity ----
what about the fourth axis of time?
2006-08-11 03:46:04 · answer #11 · answered by mit 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋