Perpendicularity
Perpendicular Lines - Definition
Two lines are perpendicular if, and only if, they are concurrent and form complementary adjacent congruent angles. These lines form right angles (90º).
Question 1
Which pairs of straight lines are perpendicular?
Oblique lines - Definition
Two straight lines are oblique when they are concurrent, but not perpendicular.
Move point A
Constructing a Perpendicular line from a point outside the line.
In the following GeoGebra applet, follow the steps below:
- Select the COMPASS (Window 5). Then click on the segment AB (opening of the compass) and on E (compass point).
- Select the option INTERSECT (Window 3) and mark the intersections F and G of the circumference with the line g.
- Select the COMPASS (Window 6). Then click on point F and point G (it will open the compass) and again
on point F (it will close the compass and form a circle). After that, click on point G and point F (it will
open the compass) and again on G (it will close the compass and form a second circle).
- Select the option INTERSECT (Window 3) and mark a point H, point of intersection of the last two circunferences.
-Select the option LINE (Window 4) and click on point E and point H. It will create the intended perpendicular line. Let us analyse it.
- Select the option INTERSECT (Window 3) and mark point I, point of intersection of points h and g.
- Select the option ANGLE (Window 6). Click on points E, I and C to mark the angle EIC (the vertex of the angle will always be the second point clicked). What is the measurement of this angle?
- Select the option SHOW / HIDE OBJECT (Window 7) and hide the circles, points H, F and G, leaving only the lines and point E.
-Select the option RELATION tool (Window 8) and click on the two lines. What happens? - Select the option MOVE (Window 1) move point E or line g. What can you see?
Analysis 1
Write an argument to justify the construction. Use the perpendicular bisector property:
Construction of the Perpendicular from a point on a line
- Select the COMPASS (Window 5). Then click on the segment AB (opening of the compass) and on E (compass point).
- Select the option INTERSECT (Window 3) and mark the intersections F and G of the circumference with the line g.
- Select the COMPASS (Window 6). Then click on point F and point G (it will open the compass) and again on point F (it will close the compass and form a circle). After that, click on point G and point F (it will
open the compass) and again on G (it will close the compass).
- Select the option INTERSECT (Window 3) and mark a point H, point of intersection of the last two circunferences.
-Select the option LINE (Window 4) and click on point E and point H. It will create the intended
perpendicular line.
- Select the option ANGLE (Window 9). Click on points H, E and C to mark the angle HEC (the vertex of the angle will always be the second point clicked). What is the measurement of this angle?-
Select the option SHOW / HIDE OBJECT (Window 7) and hide the circles, points H, F and G, leaving only the lines and point E.
-Select the option RELATION tool (Window 8) and click on the two lines. What happens? -
Select the option MOVE tool (Window 1) and move point E or line g. What can you see?
Analysis 2
Write an argument to justify the construction. Repeat the use of Perpendicular bisector properties.