[Maths Class Notes] on Line Segment and Ray Pdf for Exam

A line can stretch on both ends without any end. The ends of the line can go to infinity. It has no endpoints and no definite length unless it is structured by marking the two points. It is named by any two points on it, which is described as line AB or line PQ. Only a single line can be drawn between two points. A horizontal line goes left to right, and the vertical line goes up and down.

In our day-to-day life, we come across various shapes, for instance, a triangle, square, or any other shape as such. To structure these figures, we begin with a line segment or a curve. Depending on the arrangement and the number of lines, we get various types of shapes and figures. For instance, a square is a figure of 4-line segments; a pentagon has five-line segments. Now let us further learn about line segments and rays.

What is a Line Segment?

Before diving deep into the explanation of the Line segment, let us have a quick look at a point, and lines, because doing so helps in learning the concept of the line segment.

• In geometry, a dot that shows the exact location, either a starting or ending, is called Point.

• A straight figure which has a length but no width is called ‘line’.

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Now coming to the line segment, the part of the line which is bounded by the two different endpoints, and has all the points which are located in between these two points, is regarded as a line segment. If the line segment is closed, then it contains both the endpoints and if the line segment is open, then it excludes both the endpoints. In geometry, there is also a half-open line segment, and this type of line segment includes exactly one point. Usually, a line segment is denoted by drawing a line above the symbol.

What is a Ray?

A ray starts from one point and may continue till infinity, and hence it is not possible for us to measure the length of the ray.

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Types of Line Segment

There are four types of line segments. They are explained below.

1. Parallel Line

Two lines in the same plane either meeting each other or not. When two lines on the same plane do not meet each other at any point, it is known as a parallel line.

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2.  Intersecting Lines

Intersecting lines are two or more lines crossing each other in a plane. They share a common point that exists on all the intersecting lines and is called the point of intersection.

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3. Concurrent Lines

When multiple lines pass through each other at the same given point is known as concurrent lines.

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4. Collinear Points

When there are three or more points on a single line, it is known as collinear points.

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Difference Between Line-Segment and Ray

1. Endpoints

A line segment has two endpoints.

A ray has one start point but no endpoint. 

2. Length

A line segment has a definite length; therefore, it is measurable.

A ray has a start point but no endpoint; therefore, it cannot be measured.

3. Symbol

The symbol of a line segment is (_______).

The symbol of a ray is ().

In geometry, a line segment is written using letters for each of the endpoints. If your endpoints are A and B, you would then write it as line segment AB. For a ray, on the other hand, it starts at one point and goes on indefinitely in one single direction. This is also represented by AB but has a -> sign on its head (line and arrowhead). A line segment is written as AB with a line on its head (no arrowheads at either end).