Segment in Geometry

In geometry, a segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct endpoints. It is a finite portion of a line and can be identified by naming its two endpoints with a line segment symbol on top, such as AB or PQ.

Key Terms

• Endpoint: The points at each end of a segment.
• Line Segment: A part of a line that consists of two endpoints and all the points between them.
• Length of a Segment: The distance between the two endpoints of the segment.

Notation

A line segment is typically named by its two endpoints, with the order of the endpoints being important. For example, segment AB can be written as \( \overline{AB} \) or simply AB. The order of the endpoints matters because it indicates the direction of the segment.

Example

If A and B are two points on a line, the line segment AB consists of the points on the line between A and B, together with the points A and B themselves.

Study Guide

When studying line segments in geometry, it's important to understand the following:

1. Definition of a line segment and its key terms (endpoint, length).
2. How to represent a line segment using notation.
3. Identifying and measuring line segments using a ruler or other measuring tools.
4. Understanding the concept of congruent segments (segments that have the same length).
5. Using the distance formula to find the length of a segment in the coordinate plane.

Understanding these concepts will provide a solid foundation for working with line segments in geometry.

Feel free to refer back to this study guide as you review the topic of line segments in geometry.