line segment
A line segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two endpoints
A line segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two endpoints. It is a straight path connecting two points, and it has a definite length. The endpoints of a line segment are often represented by letters or labeled points.
To understand a line segment, let’s consider an example. Suppose we have two points, A and B. We can represent the line segment connecting these two points as AB or BA, which indicates that the line segment starts at point A and ends at point B.
The length of a line segment can be calculated by measuring the distance between its endpoints. This can be done using various methods, such as a ruler or analytical geometry formulas.
A line segment has several properties worth noting:
1. Length: This is the measure of the distance between the two endpoints of the line segment. It is a positive value.
2. Midpoint: The midpoint of a line segment is the point that divides the line segment into two equal halves. It is located exactly in the middle of the line segment.
3. Endpoints: These are the two points that define the line segment. The order of the endpoints is significant, as AB and BA represent different line segments.
4. Collinearity: The two endpoints of a line segment, along with all the points on the line segment, lie on the same straight line.
5. Direction: The line segment has a specific direction from one endpoint to the other, represented by the order of the endpoints.
6. Line segment notation: When representing a line segment, it is common to use uppercase letters as endpoints with a line segment symbol above. For example, AB represents the line segment with endpoints A and B.
Understanding line segments is fundamental in various branches of mathematics, including geometry and coordinate geometry. They are crucial in analyzing and solving problems related to lines, angles, and shapes.
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