Perpendicular - Math For Stair Builders

Perpendicular is a term used when two lines intersect each other at a 90° angle. The picture below provides you with a perfect example of two lines that are perpendicular to each other. A cross or the plus symbol used while adding two numbers together on a piece of paper, represent two perpendicular symbols that you've probably seen before.

Do Construction Workers Use This Word Often?

It all depends on the people you're working around. Whenever I'm describing a wall that intersects into another wall, I could make a statement like this," Make sure that you install the 2 x 4 ceiling backing over each one of the perpendicular walls, on the porch." This statement would provide you with a good description of your next project, as long as you knew what the word perpendicular meant.

Even if you don't use this word, you should still know what it means. One time I was working with a group of guys and we decided to learn, one word each day. During one of our breaks the forklift driver would provide us with a word and everyone would try and guess the meaning.

If no one knew what the word meant, the forklift driver would provide us with the correct definition, along with a few other interesting facts, about the word. This kind of activity isn't common and probably won't be found on very many construction projects, but you could still do something like this on your own.

One of the reasons why I created the stair glossary was to provide construction workers with access to unfamiliar words and their meanings. Make sure that you go through the stair glossary and the rest of the website, if you're interested in learning more about how some construction workers use different words and what they mean.

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