What is Line Segment?

A line segment is a line section that can link two points. 

Let us understand the line segment with the help of the diagrams below:

This is a line! It has no endpoints and extends endlessly in both directions.

If you mark two points A and B on it and pick this segment separately, it becomes a line segment.

This line segment has two endpoints A and B whose length is fixed. The length of this line segment is the distance between its endpoints A and B.

So, a line segment is a piece or part of a line having two endpoints. Unlike a line, a line segment has a definite length. 

The length of a line segment can be measured either in metric units such as millimeters, centimeters, or customary units like feet or inches. 

Symbol

A line segment is usually represented by the bar symbol (—) on top of the endpoints. Say, a line segment has endpoints P and Q, it can be denoted by PQ―.

Real Life Examples of Line Segment

• Edges of table.
• Side of a square or triangle
• Matchstick.
• Pencil
• Edge of a ruler.

Drawing a Line Segment Using Ruler and Compass

Suppose we need to draw a line segment of length 5 cm. We will follow the given steps:

• Step 1: Draw a line of any length. Mark a point A on the line, which is the starting point of the line segment.
• Step 2: Using a ruler, place the pointer of the compass 5 cm apart from the pencil’s lead.
• Step 3: Place the pointer of the compass at A and mark an arc on the line with the pencil point.
• Step 4: Mark the point where the arc and the line intersect as B.
• Step 5: AB is the required line segment of length 5 cm.