<img src="https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=iA1Pi1a8Dy00ym" style="display:none" height="1" width="1" alt="" />

# Basic Geometric Definitions

## Introduction to terms such as point, line, and plane.

Estimated5 minsto complete
%
Progress
Practice Basic Geometric Definitions
Progress
Estimated5 minsto complete
%
Basic Geometric Definitions

What if you were given a picture of a figure or object, like a map with cities and roads marked on it? How could you explain that picture geometrically? After completing this Concept, you'll be able to describe such a map using geometric terms.

### Point

A point is an exact location in space. It describes a location, but has no size. Examples are shown below:

Label It Say It
\begin{align*}A\end{align*} point \begin{align*}A\end{align*}

### Line

A line is infinitely many points that extend forever in both directions. Lines have direction and location and are always straight.

Label It Say It
line \begin{align*}g\end{align*} line \begin{align*}g\end{align*}
\begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{\text{PQ}}\end{align*} line \begin{align*}PQ\end{align*}

### Plane

A plane is infinitely many intersecting lines that extend forever in all directions. Think of a plane as a huge sheet of paper that goes on forever.

Label It Say It
Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{M}\end{align*} Plane \begin{align*}M\end{align*}
Plane \begin{align*}ABC\end{align*} Plane \begin{align*}ABC\end{align*}

### Space

We can use point, line, and plane to define new terms.

Space is the set of all points extending in three dimensions. Think back to the plane. It extended in two dimensions, what we think of as up/down and left/right. If we add a third dimension, one that is perpendicular to the other two, we arrive at three-dimensional space.

### Colinear and Coplaner

Points that lie on the same line are collinear. \begin{align*}P, Q, R, S\end{align*}, and \begin{align*}T\end{align*} are collinear because they are all on line \begin{align*}w\end{align*}. If a point \begin{align*}U\end{align*} were located above or below line \begin{align*}w\end{align*}, it would be non-collinear.

Points and/or lines within the same plane are coplanar. Lines \begin{align*}h\end{align*} and \begin{align*}i\end{align*} and points \begin{align*}A, B, C, D, G\end{align*}, and \begin{align*}K\end{align*} are coplanar in Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{J}\end{align*}. Line \begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{KF}\end{align*} and point \begin{align*}E\end{align*} are non-coplanar with Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{J}\end{align*}.

### Line Segment

An endpoint is a point at the end of a line segment. A line segment is a portion of a line with two endpoints. Or, it is a finite part of a line that stops at both ends. Line segments are labeled by their endpoints. Order does not matter.

Label It Say It
\begin{align*}\overline{AB}\end{align*} Segment \begin{align*}AB\end{align*}
\begin{align*}\overline{BA}\end{align*} Segment \begin{align*}BA\end{align*}

### Rays

A ray is a part of a line with one endpoint that extends forever in the direction opposite that endpoint. A ray is labeled by its endpoint and one other point on the ray. For rays, order matters. When labeling, put the endpoint under the side WITHOUT the arrow.

Label It Say It
\begin{align*}\overrightarrow{CD}\end{align*} Ray \begin{align*}CD\end{align*}
\begin{align*}\overleftarrow{DC}\end{align*} Ray \begin{align*}CD\end{align*}

### Intersections

An intersection is a point or set of points where lines, planes, segments, or rays cross.

### Postulates

A postulate is a basic rule of geometry. Postulates are assumed to be true (rather than proven), much like definitions. The following is a list of some basic postulates.

Postulate #1: Given any two distinct points, there is exactly one (straight) line containing those two points.

Postulate #2: Given any three non-collinear points, there is exactly one plane containing those three points.

Postulate #3: If a line and a plane share two points, then the entire line lies within the plane.

Postulate #4: If two distinct lines intersect, the intersection will be one point.

Lines \begin{align*}l\end{align*} and \begin{align*}m\end{align*} intersect at point \begin{align*}A\end{align*}.

Postulate #5: If two distinct planes intersect, the intersection will be a line.

When making geometric drawings, be sure to be clear and label all points and lines.

### Examples

#### Example A

What best describes San Diego, California on a globe?

A. point

B. line

C. plane

Answer:

A city is usually labeled with a dot, or point, on a globe.

#### Example B

Use the picture below to answer these questions.

a) List another way to label Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{J}\end{align*}.

b) List another way to label line \begin{align*}h\end{align*}.

c) Are \begin{align*}K\end{align*} and \begin{align*}F\end{align*} collinear?

d) Are \begin{align*}E, B\end{align*} and \begin{align*}F\end{align*} coplanar?

Answers:

a) Plane \begin{align*}BDG\end{align*}. Any combination of three coplanar points that are not collinear would be correct.

b) \begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{AB}\end{align*}. Any combination of two of the letters \begin{align*}A, B\end{align*}, or \begin{align*}C\end{align*} would also work.

c) Yes

d) Yes

#### Example C

What best describes a straight road connecting two cities?

A. ray

B. line

C. segment

D. plane

Answer:

The straight road connects two cities, which are like endpoints. The best term is segment, or \begin{align*}C\end{align*}.

### Guided Practice (Answers at the End)

1. What best describes the surface of a movie screen?

A. point

B. line

C. plane

2. Answer the following questions about the picture.

a) Is line \begin{align*}l\end{align*} coplanar with Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{V}\end{align*}, Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{W}\end{align*}, both, or neither?

b) Are \begin{align*}R\end{align*} and \begin{align*}Q\end{align*} collinear?

c) What point belongs to neither Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{V}\end{align*} nor Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{W}\end{align*}?

d) List three points in Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{W}\end{align*}.

3. Draw and label a figure matching the following description: Line \begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{AB}\end{align*} and ray \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{CD}\end{align*} intersect at point \begin{align*}C\end{align*}. Then, redraw so that the figure looks different but is still true to the description.

4. Describe the picture below using the geometric terms you have learned.

Guided Practice Answers:

1. The surface of a movie screen is most like a plane.

2.

a) Neither

b) Yes

c) \begin{align*}S\end{align*}

d) Any combination of \begin{align*}P, O, T\end{align*}, and \begin{align*}Q\end{align*} would work.

3. Neither the position of \begin{align*}A\end{align*} or \begin{align*}B\end{align*} on the line, nor the direction that \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{CD}\end{align*} points matter.

For the second part:

4. \begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{AB}\end{align*} and \begin{align*}D\end{align*} are coplanar in Plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{P}\end{align*}, while \begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{BC}\end{align*} and \begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{AC}\end{align*} intersect at point \begin{align*}C\end{align*}.

### Practice

For questions 1-5, draw and label a figure to fit the descriptions.

1. \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{CD}\end{align*} intersecting \begin{align*}\overline{AB}\end{align*} and Plane \begin{align*}P\end{align*} containing \begin{align*}\overline{AB}\end{align*} but not \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{CD}\end{align*}.

2. Three collinear points \begin{align*}A, B\end{align*}, and \begin{align*}C\end{align*} and \begin{align*}B\end{align*} is also collinear with points \begin{align*}D\end{align*} and \begin{align*}E\end{align*}.

3. \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{XY}, \overrightarrow{XZ}\end{align*}, and \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{XW}\end{align*} such that \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{XY}\end{align*} and \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{XZ}\end{align*} are coplanar, but \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{XW}\end{align*} is not.

4. Two intersecting planes, \begin{align*}\mathcal{P}\end{align*} and \begin{align*}\mathcal{Q}\end{align*}, with \begin{align*}\overline{GH}\end{align*} where \begin{align*}G\end{align*} is in plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{P}\end{align*} and \begin{align*}H\end{align*} is in plane \begin{align*}\mathcal{Q}\end{align*}.

5. Four non-collinear points, \begin{align*}I, J, K\end{align*}, and \begin{align*}L\end{align*}, with line segments connecting all points to each other.

6. Name this line in five ways.

7. Name the geometric figure in three different ways.

8. Name the geometric figure below in two different ways.

9. What is the best possible geometric model for a soccer field? Explain your answer.

10. List two examples of where you see rays in real life.

11. What type of geometric object is the intersection of a line and a plane? Draw your answer.

12. What is the difference between a postulate and a theorem?

For 13-16, use geometric notation to explain each picture in as much detail as possible.

For 17-25, determine if the following statements are true or false.

1. Any two points are collinear.

2. Any three points determine a plane.

3. A line is to two rays with a common endpoint.

4. A line segment is infinitely many points between two endpoints.

5. A point takes up space.

6. A line is one-dimensional.

7. Any four points are coplanar.

8. \begin{align*}\overrightarrow{AB}\end{align*} could be read “ray \begin{align*}AB\end{align*}” or “ray “\begin{align*}BA\end{align*}.”

9. \begin{align*}\overleftrightarrow{AB}\end{align*} could be read “line \begin{align*}AB\end{align*}” or “line \begin{align*}BA\end{align*}.”

### Notes/Highlights Having trouble? Report an issue.

Color Highlighted Text Notes
Please to create your own Highlights / Notes
Show More

### Explore More

Sign in to explore more, including practice questions and solutions for Basic Geometric Definitions.
Please wait...
Please wait...