Which term best describes lines that meet at right angles ? A: perpendicular B; parallel C; skew D; adjacent
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A: perpendicular.
Explanation:
Lines that meet at right angles are known as perpendicular. In geometry, perpendicular lines are two lines that intersect at exactly 90 degrees. This means that the angle between the two lines is a right angle, or 90°.
Let’s go over the other options to clarify why they are not the correct answer:
- B: Parallel – Parallel lines are two lines that are always the same distance apart and never meet, no matter how far they are extended. Parallel lines never intersect, and thus cannot form right angles.
- C: Skew – Skew lines are lines that do not intersect and are not parallel. They exist in different planes. In other words, skew lines are neither parallel nor perpendicular. This term is used for lines that are not in the same plane and do not intersect.
- D: Adjacent – Adjacent lines refer to two lines that are next to each other. They might share a common vertex, but this term does not imply any specific relationship between the angles they form. Two adjacent lines can be perpendicular, parallel, or form any other angle.
Therefore, when two lines meet at a right angle, they are perpendicular to each other. This concept is fundamental in geometry and is widely used in various fields such as architecture, engineering, and even in computer graphics where maintaining right angles is often crucial.
