Ask your own question, for FREE!
Mathematics 8 Online
OpenStudy (thadyoung):

the slope of a vertical line is 0 right... Medal to the correct answer...

OpenStudy (solomonzelman):

The slope of a Vertical line is Undefined. ALWAYS

OpenStudy (solomonzelman):

Can I explain why?

OpenStudy (thadyoung):

please

OpenStudy (solomonzelman):

Lets say you have a vertical line x=5 Choose any points on it (5,3) and (5,6) OK?

OpenStudy (thadyoung):

ok

OpenStudy (solomonzelman):

Plug these points into your slope intercept formula,\[slope~=~\frac{y_1-y_2}{x_1-x_2}~~~~plug~~~~i n~~~~your~~points,~~-->~~\frac{3-6}{5-5}~~-->~~\frac{-3}{0}\]

OpenStudy (solomonzelman):

You can't divide by zero, so it's UNDEFINED.

OpenStudy (solomonzelman):

You will always have the denominator be equal to zero in any vertical line, with any points, because the x coordinates of both points are the same, and \[x_1-x_2~~~i n~~~the~~~denominator~~~will~~~always~~~be~~~equal~~~t o~~~~0.\]

OpenStudy (thadyoung):

that makes sense lol thanks man

Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!
Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!