Most of them will be confused about the difference between a line segment and a ray. Generally, a line segment consists of two endpoints. Let us know difference between the line and line segments from here. We can measure the length of the line segment but not a line because a line does not have a limited length. From this page, the 4th grade students can learn about the difference between a line and line segment with related examples.
Do Refer:
Line Segment – Definition
The line segment has two endpoints. You can see the line segment when you mark two points A and B on a straight line. A line segment has a fixed length where you can measure with a scale and divider. The distance or length of a line segment can be measured by millimeters, centimeters, meters, and feet or inches.
How to Measure the Length of a Line Segment?
We can measure the length of the line segment by using the following methods:
i. With a scale or ruler.
ii. With the help of a pair of dividers and placing the divider length on the scale.
How to Measure Line Segments with a Ruler?
Step 1: First take a scale to measure the length of a line segment. Usually smaller line segments are measured using a cm scale.
Step 2: Determine the length of a line segment that you want to measure.
Step 3: Next, Place the tip of the ruler at the starting point of a line segment.
Step 4: Read the displayed number on the scale where the line segment ends. In this case, it is 7 cm so the length of the given line segment is 7 cm.
How to Measure the Length of a Line Segment with a Divider?
The length of a line segment can be measured with a scale and a divider.
i. Open the pair of the dividers carefully and place the pair of dividers at the pointed ends of the line segments.
ii. After that lift the divider without disturbing the arms near the line segment.
iii. And then place its one end on the zero mark of the scale and the other end on the non zero mark of the scale.
iv. By this you can find the length of the line segment.
Measuring Length of a Line Segment Examples
Example 1.
How to draw the line segment of a given length is 6 cm?
Solution:
Step 1: First take a scale to measure the length of a line segment.
Step 2: Determine the length of a line segment that you want to measure.
Step 3: Next, Place the tip of the ruler at the starting point of a line segment.
Step 4: Read the shown number on the scale where the line segment ends. In this case, it is 6 cm so the length of the given line segment is 6 cm.
Example 2.
How to draw the line segment of the given length is 4 cm?
Solution:
Step 1. First open the pair of dividers carefully and place the pointed ends of the pair of dividers on both ends of the line segments i.e., from 0cm to 4cm.
ii. Next you have to lift the divider without disturbing the line.
iii. And now place its one end on the zero mark of the scale and the other end on 4cm.
Example 3.
How to draw the line segment of the given length is 12 cm?
Solution:
Step 1: First take a scale to measure the length of a line segment.
Step 2: Determine the length of a line segment that you want to measure.
Step 3: Next, Place the tip of the ruler at the starting point of a line segment.
Step 4: Read the shown number on the scale where the line segment ends. In this case, it is 12 cm so the length of the given line segment is 12 cm.
Example 4.
How to draw the line segment of the given length is 3 cm?
Solution:
Step 1: First take a scale to measure the length of a line segment.
Step 2: Determine the length of a line segment that you want to measure.
Step 3: Next, Place the tip of the ruler at the starting point of a line segment.
Step 4: Read the shown number on the scale where the line segment ends. In this case, it is 3 cm so the length of the given line segment is 3 cm.
Example 5.
How to draw the line segment of the given length is 16 cm?
Solution:
Step 1: First take a scale to measure the length of a line segment.
Step 2: Determine the length of a line segment that you want to measure.
Step 3: Next, Place the tip of the ruler at the starting point of a line segment.
Step 4: Read the shown number on the scale where the line segment ends. In this case, it is 16 cm so the length of the given line segment is 16 cm.
FAQs on How to Draw & Measure Line Segments
1. How do you find the length of the line segment?
The length of a line segment can be measured by measuring the distance between the two endpoints.
2. What is used to measure line segments of length?
We can measure a line segment with the help of a ruler scale or divider.
3. Which instrument is used to measure a line segment?
The instrument used to compare two line segments is a divider.