Length of line segment forming 1/2 & 2 1/2
Answers
Answer:
Step 1: Place the tip of the ruler carefully so that zero is placed at the starting point of the given line segment. Mark it P.
Step 2: Now start reading the values given on the ruler and spot the number which comes on the other endpoint Q.
Step 3: Thus, the length of the line segment is 4 inches, which can be further mentioned as
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
P
Q
= 4 inches.
Measuring a Line Segment
Constructing a Line Segment
To construct a line segment of any length, there are mainly two methods. One is, using a Ruler and the other is using a Ruler and Compasses.
Visit the Methods to Draw a Line Segment page for more detail.
Line Segment Formula
A line segment is denoted by a bar on top, which is the line segment symbol. As seen in the above example, the length of line segment PQ is 4 inches. This is written as
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
P
Q
= 4 inches. How to find the length of a line segment when coordinates of the two endpoints are given? Well, in that case we will use the distance formula, that is, D = √((
x
2
−
x
1
)2+(
y
2
−
y
1
)2).
For example, a line segment having coordinates (-2, 1) and (4, –3), the length of the line segment = D =√((4-(-2))2+(-3-1)2) = √((4+2)2+(-3-1)2) = √(62 + (-4)2) = √(36 + 16) = √52 units. Therefore, by distance formula, the length of the line segments with coordinates (-2, 1) and (4, –3) is √52 units.
Difference Between Line, Line Segment, and Ray
Let's look at the figures below and try to understand the difference between a line, a line, and a ray.
Difference Between Line, Line Segment, and Ray
Line Line Segment Ray
A line is a set of points that extends in two opposite directions indefinitely.
A line segment is a part of a line having a beginning point and an endpoint.
A ray is a part of a line that has a start point but no definite endpoint.
It is indicated with arrows at both ends to show that it continues forever. It has a definite length and is indicated with two endpoints. It shows one start point and an arrow at the other end which means that it goes on forever in one direction.
It has no endpoints and is written as
←→
A
B
.
It is denoted by a bar on top which is the line segment symbol. It is written as
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
C
D
. It is written as
−→
E
F
.
Important Notes
A line has indefinite ends and cannot be measured.
A line segment has a start point and an endpoint, and thus it can be measured.
Line segments have a defined length, thus they form the sides of any polygon.
A ray has just one start point and no endpoint, thus it cannot be measured.
The concept of rays can be understood with the example of the rays of the sun, which have a beginning point but no endpoint.
Topics Related to Line Segment
Difference Between Line and Line Segment
Lines, Line Segments and Rays
How to find the length of a line segment?
Lines, Rays and Line Segments Worksheets
How do you know if two line segments are parallel?
How do you know if two line segments are perpendicular?
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