LESSON 2

Informal Geometry and Measurement

The word geometry derived from two Greek words, geo and metron, which mean earth
and measure, respectively. Egyptian surveyors used geometry at least 5,000 years ago in
reestablishing land boundaries obliterated by the annual flooding of the Nile River. As early as
2000 B.C., the Babylonians were already familiar with ways of determining the areas of some
geometric figures such as rectangles and triangles. Today, engineers and architects use
geometry together with other mathematics in their work.
Geometry, just like any other mathematical system is based on undefined terms,
unproven statements (postulated and assumptions), and theorems. The undefined terms in
geometry are point, line, and plane. Granting these words are in the dictionary, still they are not
defined clearly. For example, what is a point? Although the concept of a point is intuitive, still
some descriptions can be discussed. It can be described as a dot on a piece of paper, but what is
the dot size? We may consider points on the number line or points on the rectangular plane.

Point

A point is a zero-dimensional mathematical object that has position only and has no
length, no width nor thickness.

A point may be specified in an n-dimensional space using n coordinates.

Any point in space may be denoted by a capital letter as shown in the
Figure 1.1. Figure 1.1

Line

A line is a one-dimensional figure having no thickness and extending infinitely in

both directions.

Figure 1.2 shows a typical line. It is sometimes called a straight

Figure 1.2 line to emphasize that it has no twist anywhere along its length.

Other Important Definitions

1. A ray is a straight line which is limited from one side and infinite from another side.
 2 | Line and Angle Relationship

In Figure 1.3, a ray is terminated at one end by point A and

infinitely extending to another end.
Figure 1.3

2. A segment or line segment is a part of a straight line which is limited from both sides.

Points A and B are used to terminate the line to

Figure 1.4 form a line segment as shown in Figure 1.4. Two line
segments having the same length are said to be congruent line segments.

3. Parallel lines are straight lines which lie in the same plane and do not intersect no
matter how long they are extended.
In the figure at the right, line �1 does not intersect �1
line �2 which only signifies that the two lines are �2
parallel.
Figure 1.5

4. Intersecting lines are two or more different lines that meet at the same point.

Referring to Figure 1.6, line � crosses line � at the

common point �.
Figure 1.6

5. Transversal line is a line that cuts across two or more lines.

In Figure 1.7, the lines � and � are

parallel lines which are cut across by a
transversal line �
Figure 1.7

6. Points on the same line are said to be collinear.

Points �, �, and �, lying on the same line, are
termed to be collinear.
Figure 1.8

7. Midpoint is the point exactly halfway between two endpoints of a line segment.
Point � is the midpoint of line
segment ��.
Figure 1.9
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Plane

A plane is a flat surface that has length and width but no thickness.

Figure 2.0 below shows a usual example of plane with

two dimensions; the length and the width.

Figure 2.0

Important Facts
1. If two planes intersect, their intersection is a straight line.

Line � if formed through the intersection of the two

planes in Figure 2.1
Figure 2.1

2. The intersections of two parallel planes by a third plane are parallel lines.

Parallel lines �� and �� are formed through the intersections

of two parallel planes and a third plane.

Figure 2.2

3. If two planes are perpendicular to the third plane, their intersection is also
perpendicular to that plane.

From the intersection of two planes in Figure 2.3,

line �� is perpendicular to plane �.

4. Points that lie on the same plane are said to be coplanar. Figure 2.3

In Figure 2.4, points �, �, and �, lying on the same plane, are

termed to be coplanar.

Figure 2.4

Basic Postulates and Theorems in Geometry

Postulates are statements that are assumed to be true without proof. Postulates serve
two purposes - to explain undefined terms, and to serve as a starting point for proving other
statements.
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Euclid's Postulates
 Two points determine a line segment.
 A line segment can be extended indefinitely along a line.
 A circle can be drawn with a center and any radius.
 All right angles are congruent.
 If two lines are cut by a transversal, and the interior angles on the same side of the
transversal have a total measure of less than 180 degrees, then the lines will intersect on
that side of the transversal.

Point-Line-Plane Postulates
 Unique Line Assumption: Through any two points, there is exactly one line.
 Dimension Assumption: Given a line in a plane, there exists a point in the plane not on
that line. Given a plane in space, there exists a line or a point in space not on that plane.
 Number Line Assumption: Every line is a set of points that can be put into a one-to-one
correspondence with real numbers, with any point on it corresponding to zero and any
other point corresponding to one. This was once called the Ruler Postulate.
 Distance Assumption: On a number line, there is a unique distance between two points.
- If two points lie on a plane, the line containing them also lies on the plane.
- Through three noncollinear points, there is exactly one plane.
- If two different planes have a point in common, then their intersection is a line.

Theorems are statements that can be deduced and proved from definitions, postulates,
and previously proved theorems.

 Line Intersection Theorem: Two different lines intersect in at most one point.
 Betweenness Theorem: If C is between A and B and on AB , then AC + CB = AB.
Related Theorems:

Theorem: If A, B, and C are distinct points and AC + CB = AB, then C lies on AB .

Theorem: For any points A, B, and C, �� + �� ≥ AB .

Pythagorean Theorem: �2 + �2 = �2 , if c is the hypotenuse.
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Let’s Try!!!
A. Directions: Determine the undefined term suggested by the following objects.
1. The edge of the beam of the building.
2. The surface of the page of a notebook.
3. The string on a guitar.
4. The ceiling of a room.
5. A hair strand.

B. Directions: Solve what is asked in each item.

1.

2. A, B, and C are three different points on the same line. AB = 4 and BC = 6. The coordinates
of B is 5. If B is between A and C and the coordinate of A is less than the coordinate of C, find
the coordinates of A and C.

3. B, E, and T are three points on a line. E is between B and T. The coordinate of T, which is
greater than that of E, is 16. ET = 5. If the distance of E from B is 1 more than thrice the
distance from E to T, what is the coordinate of B?

4. A, B, and C are three points on a plane. If AB = BC, and the coordinates of A and C are
equal to - 4 and 16, respectively, what is the coordinate of B?

C. Directions: Answer the following.

1. Are two points always collinear? Why?
2. Are three points always contained in exactly one plane? Why?
3. What is the intersection of two coplanar lines?
4. What is the intersection of two distinct planes?
5. How many points determine exactly one plane?
6. When are two line nonintersecting?
7. How many planes can pass through a line?