An Introduction to Line Segment

Any portion of a line with two endpoints and a set length is referred to as a line segment. It differs from a line that can extend in both directions and has neither a beginning nor an end. We’ll learn more about a line segment, its symbol, and how to measure one in this session.

Line Segment

A measurable path between two points is referred to as a line segment. Line segments can make up the sides of any polygon because they have a set length. In other words, a line segment is a section or element of a line with two endpoints. A line segment, in contrast to a line, has a known length. A line segment’s length can be calculated using either metric measurements like millimetres or centimetres, or conventional measurements like feet or inches. A line segment is made from the words line and segment. While the word segment comes from the Latin word segmentum, which means strip, a portion cut off, or a segment of earth, the word line is derived from the same root as that word.

Measuring a line segment

Follow the given steps to measure the length of a line segment

Step1: Take a scale out to weigh a line segment to determine its length. A centimetre scale is typically used to measure shorter line segments.

Step2: Decide the line segment to measure.

Step3: Set the ruler’s zero marking at the beginning of the line segment.

Step4: Read the scale’s number at the line’s terminus.

Drawing a Line Segment Using Ruler and Compass

Step1: Draw any length of a line. As the beginning of the line segment, mark point A on the line.

Step2: Place the compass pointer 5 cm away from the pencil lead using a ruler. 

Step3: Place the compass pointer 5 cm away from the pencil lead using a ruler.

Step4: Affix the letter B to the spot where the arc and the line meet.

Step5: The necessary 5 cm long line section is called AB.

Section formula

The coordinates of the point that splits a line segment (internally or externally) into a certain ratio are found using the Section formula. This formula is frequently used in physics and mathematics. It is used to determine the centroid, incenters, or excenters of a triangle in mathematics, and the centre of mass, equilibrium points, etc. in physics. To determine the middle of a line segment, the section formula is frequently employed. The section formula is used to determine the coordinates of a point that splits a line segment externally or internally in a certain ratio. It’s a useful tool for determining the coordinates of the point that divides a line segment into a certain number of segments. The midpoint of a line segment can be determined using this section formula, and it can also be used to derive the midpoint formula.

Definition of Section Formula in Coordinate Geometry

The formula used to calculate the coordinates of a point on a line segment that divides it into two segments is referred to as the section formula. Let’s imagine that the line segment marked with the coordinates A (x₁,y₁) and B has a point P(x,y) that splits it ((x₂,y₂). We employ the section formula, which is mathematically defined as: to determine the coordinates.

 P(x, y) = (mx₂+nx_{1) /} m+n, my₂+ny_{1  / (}m+n)

Conclusion

A line cannot be measured since it has inescapable ends. A line segment can be measured since it has a start point and an end point. Since line segments have a set length, they can be used to represent any polygon’s sides. A line segment in geometry has two different points on it that define its boundaries. A line segment is sometimes referred to as a section of a line that links two places. The difference between a line and a line segment is that a line has no endpoints and can go on forever in either direction. The section formula is used to determine the coordinates of a point that splits a line segment externally or internally in a certain ratio.