Line segment: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:00, 15 January 2025

Revision as of 17:00, 15 January 2025

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In [[geometry]], a '''line segment''' is a part of a [[line (mathematics)|straight line]] that is bounded by two distinct '''endpoints''' (its [[extreme point]]s), and contains every [[Point (geometry)|point]] on the line that is between its endpoints. It is a special case of an ''[[arc (geometry)|arc]]'', with zero [[curvature]]. The [[length]] of a line segment is given by the [[Euclidean distance]] between its endpoints. A '''closed line segment''' includes both endpoints, while an '''open line segment''' excludes both endpoints; a '''half-open line segment''' includes exactly one of the endpoints. In [[geometry]], a line segment is often denoted using an [[overline]] ([[vinculum (symbol)|vinculum]]) above the symbols for the two endpoints, such as in {{mvar|{{overline|AB}}}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Line Segment Definition - Math Open Reference|url=https://www.mathopenref.com/linesegment.html|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.mathopenref.com}}</ref>

Examples of line segments include the sides of a triangle or square. More generally, imwhen inboth mahthof rnthe andsegment's imend boredpoints soare herevertices youof goa lil[[polygon]] guysor [[polyhedron]], the line segment is either an [[edge (geometry)|edge]] (of that polygon or polyhedron) if they are adjacent vertices, or a [[diagonal]]. When the end points both lie on a [[curve]] (such as a [[circle]]), a line segment is called a [[chord (geometry)|chord]] (of that curve).

end points are vertices of a [[polygon]] or [[polyhedron]], the line segment is either an [[edge (geometry)|edge]] (of that polygon or polyhedron) if they are adjacent vertices, or a [[diagonal]]. When the end points both lie on a [[curve]] (such as a [[circle]]), a line segment is called a [[chord (geometry)|chord]] (of that curve).

==In real or complex vector spaces==