Exploring Slopes of Lines: Ex. 15
DIRECTIONS:
In the applet window below,
1) Construct a line.
2) Construct a line parallel to this given line.
3) Use the SLOPE tool 
to measure and display the slopes of both lines.
to measure and display the slopes of both lines. 4)
Select the MOVE tool again. Move any of the first 2 points you plotted (in step 1) around. What do you notice?
5) Construct a line that is perpendicular to the first line you drew that passes through any other point
It doesn't matter where you choose to position this line.
6) Use the SLOPE tool 
to measure and display the slope of this perpendicular line.
Further directions can be found below the applet.
to measure and display the slope of this perpendicular line.
Further directions can be found below the applet. Continued from above...
7) The label for the slope of the first line should be .
The label for the slope of the perpendicular line should be .
Go to the algebra view (left). In the next input line, type (w/o the " "): "FractionText(m)".
In the next input line, type (w/o the " "): "FractionText".
If you so choose, you can choose to show these text boxes in the graphics window.
8)
Move any one of the first 2 points you plotted (in step 1) around. What do you notice about the slope of this line and the line perpendicular to it? Explain.
When you're done (or if you're unsure of something), feel free to check by watching the quick silent screencast below the applet.