line segment
A line segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct endpoints
A line segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct endpoints. It can be thought of as the shortest distance between two points on a line. The endpoints are essentially the two extreme points that define the segment.
A line segment is different from a line, as it has a finite length and is not infinite in both directions. It is also different from a ray, which extends infinitely in one direction but is bounded by only one endpoint.
To illustrate, imagine a line segment AB. Point A and point B are the two endpoints of the segment. The line segment is the actual segment between these two points, and it has a specific length.
When considering a line segment, some important properties to consider are:
1. Length: The length of a line segment can be determined by calculating the distance between the two endpoints using the distance formula or by using other mathematical methods depending on the specific situation.
2. Midpoint: The midpoint of a line segment is the point that divides the segment into two equal halves. It lies exactly halfway between the endpoints and can be found by calculating the average of the coordinates of the endpoints.
3. Collinearity: The three points – the two endpoints of the line segment and any other point on the line segment – must lie on the same line. This means they are collinear.
4. Naming: Line segments are typically named by stating the names of the two endpoints. For example, if the endpoints are A and B, the line segment can be denoted as AB or BA.
Understanding line segments is important in various mathematical contexts, such as geometry, coordinate geometry, and trigonometry. They are often used to measure distances, determine angles, and solve various mathematical problems.
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