Relation of Perpendicular Lines in a Plane

📺 Video Explanation

📝 Question

Let \( R \) be a relation on the set of all straight lines in a plane such that:

\[ L_1 \, R \, L_2 \iff L_1 \perp L_2 \]

Then, \( R \) is:

  • (a) symmetric
  • (b) reflexive
  • (c) transitive
  • (d) an equivalence relation

✅ Solution

We check reflexive, symmetric, and transitive properties.


🔹 Reflexive

A line cannot be perpendicular to itself.

\[ L \not\perp L \]

❌ Not reflexive.


🔹 Symmetric

If line \( L_1 \) is perpendicular to line \( L_2 \), then line \( L_2 \) is also perpendicular to line \( L_1 \).

\[ L_1 \perp L_2 \Rightarrow L_2 \perp L_1 \]

✔ Symmetric.


🔹 Transitive

Suppose:

\[ L_1 \perp L_2 \quad \text{and} \quad L_2 \perp L_3 \]

Then \( L_1 \) and \( L_3 \) are parallel, not perpendicular.

❌ Not transitive.


🎯 Final Answer

\[ \boxed{\text{R is symmetric}} \]

✔ Correct option: (a)


🚀 Exam Shortcut

  • Perpendicular relation is always symmetric
  • No line is perpendicular to itself → not reflexive
  • Two lines perpendicular to same line become parallel → not transitive
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