How do you find the slope perpendicular to #x = 0#?

1 Answer
Tony B
Nov 6, 2015

0

Explanation:

Compare to:

The slope for #x=2# is a vertical line perpendicular to the x-axis but crossing the x-axis at # x=2#

So the slope #x=0# is vertical to the axis but crossing it at #x=0#. In other words it is the y-axis.

Slope (gradient) is the amount of up for the amount of along

#-> (y_2 - y_1)/(x_2-x_1)#

The slope for #x=0# can not be quantitised as you are unable to have different values for #x_1 "and x_2#. In fact the only truth is that #x_1=x_2# so you would have #(y_2-y_1)/0# which is undefined!

The perpendicular to the y-axis is parallel to the x-axis. In this case #y_1=y_2 -> 0/(x_2-x_1) = 0# which is defined.

So the slope (gradient) perpendicular to #x=0# is 0.

There is no up for any amount of along!

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