Parallel Lines Definition
In Geometry, some lines make shapes when connected. Similarly, some lines never join each other. Parallel lines are specific lines that lie in the same plane but never touch each other. These lines keep the same distance between them at all points.
Note:
You can read about Axis in Geometry here.
Table of Contents
- Everyday examples of Parallel lines
- Representation of Parallel Lines
- How to check if lines are parallel?
- What is the opposite of parallel lines?
- Fun Facts about parallel lines
- FAQ's
Parallel lines can be horizontal or vertical. The only condition is these lines can never touch each other even when drawn for hundreds of miles. The angle between parallel lines can either be 0 degrees or 180 degrees depending on the direction of those lines.
Note:
Read about Acute Angle here.
Everyday examples of Parallel lines
- Zebra Crossing on the road.
- Lines on a notebook.
- Rails of the railway track
- Vertical polls of a football net
Representation of Parallel Lines
Like all other quantities, Parallel lines are also represented in a specific way in Mathematics. To show parallel behavior between two lines, two vertical lines are drawn between the names of the lines. For example, if two lines AB and CD are parallel, we will write them as AB || CD.
How to check if lines are parallel?
To check parallel behavior between two lines, you can follow two methods. Let us explain both of those methods here.
Method 1:
In this checking, you should have to measure the distance between those lines at different points. If the distance between drawn lines remains the same, it means that those lines are parallel. If the distance doesn’t remain the same, it means that those lines may be in the same plane but never be parallel.
Method 2:
The second method is by drawing a “Transversal Line” on both parallel lines. It is a particular line drawn straight that cuts the two parallel lines at any point. If all external and internal angles made from this new line on those lines are same, it means that those lines are parallel.
Note:
You can read about Transversal Line here.
What is the opposite of parallel lines?
In Geometry, Perpendicular lines are considered to be opposite to Parallel lines. It is because these lines make an angle of 90 degrees.
Note:
You can read about Perpendicular lines here.
Fun Facts about parallel lines
- Parallel lines can never intersect each other.
- These lines have equal separation at all points.
- Parallel lines always lie in the same plane.
- Angles drawn from a transversal line on parallel lines are equal to each other.
- Parallel lines can have the same as well as opposite directions.
- The angle between parallel lines can be 0 degrees or 180 degrees.
FAQ's
What is a parallel line definition?
These are lines that are drawn in the same plane with the separation of equal measurement at all points.
What are two examples of parallel lines in real life?
Zebra crossing and lines on notebooks are examples of parallel lines.
Can parallel lines intersect each other?
No, parallel lines can never intersect each other.
What is the opposite of parallel lines?
The opposite of parallel lines is perpendicular lines.
What is the angle between two parallel lines?
The angle between two parallel lines can be 0 degrees or 180 degrees.
How many parallel lines can we draw?
We can draw unlimited parallel lines by following the above definition. Keep in mind lines are parallel only when they are equally apart from each other at all points.
