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QUESTION

# What is the slope of a line perpendicular to the x-axis?

The slope of a line perpendicular to the x-axis is undefined.

Perpendicular lines have opposite reciprocal slopes.

For example, 1/2 and -2/1=-2 are opposite reciprocals and lines with these slopes will be perpendicular to one another.

If the x-axis is treated as a horizontal line, we can pick two points on the line such as (0,0) and (1,0).

The slope of a line is m={y_2-y_1}/{x_2-x_1}. So the two points we have selected:

(0,0)=(x_1,y_1) and (1,0)=(x_2,y_2).

Using the slope formula, m={0-0}/{1-0}=0/{1}=0.

The opposite reciprocal of a slope of zero would be undefined because we cannot divide by zero.

Alternatively, you can use the slope formula and two points on the vertical line x=1 for example. Randomly picking the points (1,0) and (1,1).

The slope would be m={1-0}/{1-1} and this is undefined.

Very good explanation of slopes, with good graphs and the answer to the question with additional info here http://www.themathpage.com/alg/slope-of-a-line.htm