Parallel vs. Perpendicular: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 7, 2024
Parallel lines run side by side without intersecting, while perpendicular lines intersect at a right angle.
Key Differences
Parallel lines maintain a constant distance between them and never meet, exemplifying alignment and uniformity. In contrast, perpendicular lines intersect at a precise 90-degree angle, representing orthogonality and intersection.
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Jan 07, 2024
Parallelism is a concept in geometry, art, and computing, indicating alignment and similarity. Perpendicularity, however, signifies a sharp contrast or intersection, often used to denote structural strength and stability.
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Jan 07, 2024
Parallel lines can extend infinitely without crossing, a metaphor for consistency and endless progression. Perpendicular lines create corners and intersections, essential for defining shapes and structures.
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Jan 07, 2024
In mathematics, parallel lines have the same slope, symbolizing uniformity and equal progression. Perpendicular lines, with slopes that are negative reciprocals, signify contrasting directions and dynamics.
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Jan 07, 2024
Parallel lines are often used in design for visual harmony and continuity. Perpendicular lines, on the other hand, are key in architecture and engineering for creating defined spaces and supports.
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Jan 07, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Mathematical Representation
Lines with the same slope
Lines with slopes that are negative reciprocals
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Jan 07, 2024
Usage in Design
Used for harmony and flow
Used for creating structure and definition
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Jan 07, 2024
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Parallel and Perpendicular Definitions
Parallel
Parallel lines are lines in a plane that never meet.
The railroad tracks are parallel, stretching into the horizon.
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Perpendicular
Perpendicular lines intersect at a right angle.
The walls of the room are perpendicular to the floor.
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Parallel
Parallel describes things that are similar and comparable.
Their careers ran in parallel, with similar successes and challenges.
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Perpendicular
In geometry, a perpendicular line meets another at 90 degrees.
The carpenter ensured the frame was perpendicular to the base.
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Parallel
In computing, parallel processing involves simultaneous data handling.
The new software utilizes parallel processing to enhance efficiency.
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Perpendicular
Perpendicular is used in architecture for right-angled intersections.
The Gothic cathedral is known for its perpendicular style.
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Parallel
Parallel can refer to an analogy or similarity between concepts.
He drew a parallel between historical events and current trends.
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Perpendicular
Perpendicular can describe a vertical or near-vertical position.
The cliff face was almost perpendicular, making climbing challenging.
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Parallel
Being an equal distance apart everywhere
Dancers in two parallel rows. See Usage Note at absolute.
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Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating two or more straight coplanar lines that do not intersect.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating two or more planes that do not intersect.
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Dec 13, 2023
Perpendicular
Often Perpendicular Of or relating to a style of English Gothic architecture of the 1300s and 1400s, characterized by the use of fan vaulting and broad windows with many mullions.
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Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating a line and a plane that do not intersect.
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Parallel
Of, relating to, or designating curves or surfaces everywhere equidistant.
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Perpendicular
(Mathematics) A line or plane perpendicular to a given line or plane.
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Parallel
Having comparable parts, analogous aspects, or readily recognized similarities
The parallel lives of two contemporaries.
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Perpendicular
A device, such as a plumb line, that is used in marking the vertical from a given point.
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Parallel
(Grammar) Having identical or equivalent syntactic constructions in corresponding clauses or phrases.
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Parallel
Moving in the same direction at a fixed interval
Parallel motion.
Parallel fifths.
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Perpendicular
(geometry) At or forming a right angle (to something).
In most houses, the walls are perpendicular to the floor.
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Parallel
Having the same tonic. Used of scales and keys
C minor is the parallel minor scale of C major.
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Perpendicular
Exactly upright; extending in a straight line toward the centre of the earth, etc.
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Parallel
(Electronics) Denoting a circuit or part of a circuit connected in parallel.
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Parallel
Of or relating to the simultaneous transmission of all the bits of a byte over separate wires
A parallel port.
A parallel interface.
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Parallel
Of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations
Parallel processing.
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Perpendicular
A device such as a plumb line that is used in making or marking a perpendicular line.
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Parallel
In a parallel relationship or manner
A road and a railway that run parallel.
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Parallel
(Mathematics) One of a set of parallel geometric figures, such as lines or planes.
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Perpendicular
Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a right line from any point toward the center of the earth.
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Parallel
One that closely resembles or is analogous to another
A unique event, without parallel in history.
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Perpendicular
At right angles to a given line or surface; as, the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc.
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Perpendicular
A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a vertical line or direction.
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Parallel
The condition of being parallel; near similarity or exact agreement in particulars; parallelism.
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Perpendicular
A line or plane falling at right angles on another line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each side.
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Parallel
Any of the imaginary lines representing degrees of latitude that encircle the earth parallel to the plane of the equator.
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Parallel
(Printing) A sign indicating material referred to in a note or reference.
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Perpendicular
A Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting
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Parallel
(Electronics) An arrangement of components in a circuit that splits the current into two or more paths. Used chiefly in the phrase in parallel.
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Perpendicular
A cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's center of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point
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Parallel
To make or place parallel to something else
Paralleled the ditch to the highway.
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Perpendicular
Intersecting at or forming right angles;
The axes are perpendicular to each other
Parallel lines never converge
Concentric circles are parallel
Dancers in two parallel rows
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Parallel
To be similar or analogous to
Claimed that fetal development parallels the evolution of the species.
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Perpendicular
At right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line;
A vertical camera angle
The monument consists of two vertical pillars supporting a horizontal slab
Measure the perpendicular height
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Parallel
To show to be analogous; compare or liken
Critics who have paralleled the novel's plot to an ancient myth.
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Perpendicular
Perpendicular can imply a direct contrast or opposition.
His approach was perpendicular to traditional methods.
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Parallel
Equally distant from one another at all points.
The horizontal lines on my notebook paper are parallel.
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Parallel
Having the same overall direction; the comparison is indicated with "to".
The two railway lines are parallel.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
(computing) Involving the processing of multiple tasks at the same time.
A parallel algorithm
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Parallel
A line of latitude.
The 31st parallel passes through the center of my town.
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Parallel
An arrangement of electrical components such that a current flows along two or more paths; see in parallel.
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Parallel
A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity.
Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope
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Parallel
(military) One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
(printing) A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines, used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page.
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Parallel
To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, etc.
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Parallel
Extended in the same direction, and in all parts equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes.
Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
Having the same direction or tendency; running side by side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same result; - used with to and with.
When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and our country, it can not be too much cherished.
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Parallel
Continuing a resemblance through many particulars; applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a parallel case; a parallel passage.
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Parallel
A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.
Who made the spider parallels design,Sure as De Moivre, without rule or line ?
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Parallel
Direction conformable to that of another line,
Lines that from their parallel decline.
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Parallel
Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity.
Twixt earthly females and the moonAll parallels exactly run.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart.
None but thyself can be thy parallel.
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Parallel
One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map; as, the counry was divided into North and South at the 38th parallel.
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Parallel
One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines (thus, ) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
That arrangement of an electrical system in which all positive poles, electrodes, terminals, etc., are joined to one conductor, and all negative poles, etc., to another conductor; - called also multiple. Opposed to series.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something else.
The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon the true meridian.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character, motive, aim, or the like.
His life is paralleledEven with the stroke and line of his great justice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
To produce or adduce as a parallel.
My young remembrance can not parallelA fellow to it.
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Parallel
Something having the property of being analogous to something else
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Parallel
Make or place parallel to something;
They paralleled the ditch to the highway
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Parallel
Duplicate or match;
The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse
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Parallel
Being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting;
Parallel lines never converge
Concentric circles are parallel
Dancers in two parallel rows
The axes are perpendicular to each other
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
Of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations;
Parallel processing
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Dec 13, 2023
Parallel
In literature, parallel narratives run concurrently within a story.
The novel features parallel narratives from different time periods.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does parallel mean in geometry?
Parallel means lines that never intersect, running equidistantly.
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Jan 07, 2024
Are all intersecting lines perpendicular?
No, only if they intersect at right angles.
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Jan 07, 2024
Can curves be parallel?
Yes, curves that maintain a constant distance are parallel.
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Jan 07, 2024
What is an example of parallel in everyday life?
The lanes of a straight road are parallel.
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Jan 07, 2024
Why are perpendicular lines important in construction?
They provide structural integrity and define angles.
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Jan 07, 2024
Can roads be perpendicular?
Yes, at intersections where they meet at right angles.
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Jan 07, 2024
Can parallel lines meet at infinity?
Theoretically, in projective geometry, they can.
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Jan 07, 2024
Do parallel lines have the same length?
They can extend infinitely, so length is not comparable.
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Jan 07, 2024
Is the concept of parallel relative?
Yes, it's relative to the plane or surface in question.
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Jan 07, 2024
What’s a real-world example of perpendicular lines?
The legs of a chair and the floor are perpendicular.
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Jan 07, 2024
Do parallel lines have to be straight?
Yes, in classical geometry they are straight.
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Jan 07, 2024
How do perpendicular lines affect shapes?
They create defined corners and shapes.
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Jan 07, 2024
What is the significance of parallel processing in computing?
It allows for faster and more efficient data processing.
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Jan 07, 2024
What tools can create perpendicular lines?
A square or a compass can be used.
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Jan 07, 2024
How does perpendicularity relate to angles?
It specifically relates to right angles.
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Jan 07, 2024
Can lines be both parallel and perpendicular?
No, they are mutually exclusive properties.
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Jan 07, 2024
How are perpendicular lines used in navigation?
They help in creating reference points and directions.
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Jan 07, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dua Fatima
Hifza Nasir
