Worried about how to Measure the Line Segment. Don’t worry! In this article, you will get answers to all your questions concerning the Line Segment. Here, we discuss the Definitions of Line and Line Segments and the difference between them along with a procedure for measuring the line segment. Usually, we use a ruler or scaler and pair of dividers to evaluate the Line Segment between two or more endpoints and To Measure the Length of a Line Segment.
Let us get into detail about the concept of Measuring the Line Segment in geometry and practice more questions to improve concept knowledge that helps you in middle school and high school mathematics further.
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What is a Line and a Line Segment?
A line can be defined as a one-dimensional figure which has no thickness and extends infinitely in both directions in geometry. A line segment has two distinct points on a line or it is a part of the line which has a definite line that connects with two or definite points. Let us see how the line and the line segment differ as follows.
Difference between Line and Line Segment
Let’s now we will distinguish the differences between the line and the line segment by grasping the differences we can easily identify them.
| Line | Line Segment |
| The line has n number of points and extends infinitely in both directions. | Line Segment has a fixed length between two endpoints. |
| The line doesn’t have any start point or any endpoint. | Line Segments have a starting point and an ending point. |
| Line AB is denoted as \(\overleftrightarrow{AB}\). | Line Segment AB is denoted as \(\overline{AB}\). |
| Lines are continuous and boundless. | Line Segments are short and a fixed or certain portion. |
| It can not be measured as the lines are endless. | It can be drawn visually and measured as it has a fixed length. |
How to Measure the Line Segment?
A line segment has a start and endpoint with a definite length and a line segment is denoted by a bar (—) on top of the two endpoints which is the line segment symbol. To measure or draw a line segment of a fixed given length we use the following two methods:
(i) We measure a line segment using a ruler or scale.
(ii) We measure a line segment using dividers or compasses and rulers.
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How to Draw & Measure Line Segments using Ruler?
Usually, we measure a line segment by scale which has noting centimeters (cm) and inches (in). Normally, we measure in centimeters (cm) and each centimeter is divided into 10 small equal parts called millimeters (mm).
1cm = 10mm and 1mm = 1/10cm.
The following steps are the simplest and easiest method to measure a line segment with the help of a ruler.
Step 1:Â Take a ruler or scale for the starting point, which is zero (0).
Step 2:Â Place the scale on empty paper and mark the starting point as A of the line segment with the dot. Simply, mark it as A.
Step 3:Â Now, mark the endpoint of the line segment on the scale that coincides with endpoint B, which says 8cm. Simply, mark it as B.
Step 4:Â Finally, draw a line joining with two points. Thus, we get a line segment with a length of 8 cm as follows
How to Draw & Measure Line segment Using Ruler and Compasses?
To measure a line segment we use dividers or compasses along with a ruler as another method. This method is scientific it requires more attention while measuring the two points on a line.
Step 1:Â Take a ruler and place it on empty paper.
Step 2: Mark the starting point of the line segment as point A which is from zero of the ruler with the help of the divider.
Step 3:Â Take a divider and place the pointer on point A, and drag the divider up to 2.5cm as it is the endpoint B.
Step 4:Â Now, take the divider carefully and place it on empty paper and mark both points and draw a line segment of AB as 2.5 cm as shown below
Measuring Line Segments in Geometry Examples
Example 1:
Draw a line segment of length equal to 4.5 cm.
Solution:
Firstly, take a scale or ruler to measure the length of a line segment and check for its start point, which is zero.
Now, place the scale on empty paper and mark the start point with a dot on the paper. Mark the point as A.
Next, mark the endpoint of the line segment, of the required length which is given as 4.5 cm. Mark that point as B.
Finally, draw the line segment by joining the two points. Thus, we get a length of a line segment AB as 4.5 cm as follows
Example 2:
Draw a line segment of 9 cm.
Solution:
Step1: Take a scale or ruler to measure the length of a line segment and check for its start point, which is zero.
Step2:Â Place the scale on empty paper and mark the start point with a dot on the paper. Mark the point as A.
Step3: Mark the endpoint of the line segment, of the required length which is given as 7 cm. Mark that point as B.
Step4:Â Draw the line segment by joining the two points. We get the line segment AB of length 7 cm as shown below
Example 3:
Draw a line segment of length 6 cm by using a ruler and a compass.
Solution:
By using the following steps we measure the line segment with help of a ruler and a compass.
Step1:Â Take the ruler and place it on empty paper.
Step2:Â Mark the starting point as A which is from zero of the ruler with the help of the divider.
Step3:Â Place the divider on point A open the compass widely up to the length of 6 cm as it is the endpoint B.
Step4:Â Now, draw the line segment from start point to endpoint with the length of 6 cm.
