- What Is the Difference Between a Line and a Line Segment?
- How Is a Line Different from a Line Segment?
- Difference Between a Line and a Line Segment: Chart
- Solved Examples on Difference Between Line Segment and Line
- Practice Problems on Difference Between Line Segment and Line
- Frequently Asked Questions on the Difference Between Line Segment and Line
What Is the Difference Between a Line and a Line Segment?
The difference between a line and a line segment is that a line segment has two endpoints (has a finite length), whereas a line does not have endpoints (extends infinitely in both directions).
A line is a basic and simple shape in geometry. Look around, and you can see lines in different shapes and everyday objects! Every shape that we study in geometry is made by joining a number of lines.
A line can be extended infinitely in the opposite directions. A line segment is part of a line, and has two definite endpoints. It has length, but it does not have a width and depth.
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Definition of Line
A line is defined as a straight one-dimensional geometric shape that does not have a thickness, and it extends endlessly in both directions.
A line has infinite length. We show it by drawing arrows at both ends. A line can be named by any two points lying on the line. We can also name a line using a single lowercase letter.
Take a look at the picture given below.
The notation for line AB is 
.
Here, we have a line m.
Definition of Line Segment
A line segment is defined as a section of a line bounded by two points or connecting two points. It is the shortest distance between two points that can be measured.
The notation of a line segment is given by two endpoints with the bar symbol $( \overline{} )$ on top.
If a line segment has endpoints P and Q, it can be written as $\overline{PQ}$. Note that line segment PQ is the same as line segment QP.
How Is a Line Different from a Line Segment?
The key difference between a line and a line segment is that a line is extended in both directions infinitely. It has infinite length. We show it by drawing arrows on both sides. However, a line segment has two defined endpoints, thereby a definite length.
Difference Between a Line and a Line Segment: Chart
| Line vs. Line Segment | |
| Line | Line Segment |
| A straight path formed by a set of collinear points is called a line. | A line segment is a part of a line with two endpoints. |
| Lines do not have a starting point or an endpoint. | Line segments do have a starting point and an endpoint. |
| A line extends in both directions. | A line segment does not extend in both directions. |
| The length of the line cannot be measured. It has infinite length. | The length of the line segment can be measured. It has finite length. |
| Lines are long and continuous. | Line segments are short and basically a section of the line. |
 |  |
| Line AB is denoted as . | The line segment AB is denoted as AB. |
Facts about the Difference between Line Segment and Line
- Euclid, a Greek mathematician—fondly known as the Father of Geometry—introduced the concept of a line. He defined it as “a breadthless length.”
- A ray is a geometric figure that has a starting point but no endpoint. It extends infinitely in one direction.
- A set of three or more points are called collinear points if they lie on the same line.
- Only one line can pass through two given points.
- A line and a line segment are one-dimensional shapes.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned about the definition of a line and a line segment and the differences between them. Let’s solve some examples to understand the concept better.
Solved Examples on Difference Between Line Segment and Line
1. Which of the following diagrams is a line segment ?
Solution:
Diagram i) is a line segment as it has 2 definite endpoints.
Diagram ii) is a line as it extends endlessly in both the directions.
Diagram iii) is a ray since it has a starting point but no endpoint.
Diagram iv) is a point.
2. Name the following figures.
(a) (b)
Solution:
The figure (a) is a line segment. It is represented as AB.
The figure (b) is a line with points A and B lying on it. Line AB is denoted as .
3. Write all the possible line segments in the given figure.
Solution:
Here, we can find all the possible line segments by taking any two endpoints.
Line segment AB: AB
Line segment BC: BC
Line segment CD: CD
Line segment AD: AD
Line segment BD: BD
Line segment AC: AC
4. Write whether the following statements are correct or incorrect. Correct the incorrect ones.
A. A line segment has one endpoint.
B. A line is a part of the line segment.
C. A line segment has a fixed length.
Solution:
A. A line segment has one endpoint.
The given statement is incorrect.
A line segment has two endpoints.
B. A line is a part of the line segment.
The given statement is incorrect.
A line segment is a part of the line.
C. A line segment has a fixed length.
The given statement is correct.
Practice Problems on Difference Between Line Segment and Line
Difference Between Line and Line Segment – Definition, Examples
A one-dimensional figure, which has length, but no width is called ________.
A one-dimensional figure, which has length but no width is called a line.
________ can be extended in both directions infinitely.
A line can be extended infinitely in both ends towards the opposite directions.
Identify the name of the red part in the given figure.
A line segment is a section of a line formed by connecting two distinct points. Here, the red section is a part of the blue line. It connects two points, A and B.
Which of these notations represent a line segment?
A line segment is usually represented by the bar symbol $(\overline{ })$ on top of the endpoints. Say, a line segment has endpoints P and Q, it can be denoted as $\overline{PQ}$.
Which of the following is NOT TRUE ?
In geometry, a line is a one-dimensional figure.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Difference Between Line Segment and Line
What is a ray?
A ray is a part of a line that has a fixed starting point but no endpoint. It can extend infinitely in one direction. Since a ray has no endpoint, we can’t measure its length.
A ray is denoted by drawing a small ray on top of the name of the ray.
What are collinear points?
Collinear means lying on the same line. Three or more points are said to be collinear if they lie on a single straight line.
What is the difference between a line segment and a ray?
| Line Segment | Ray |
|---|---|
| A line segment is a part of a line with two endpoints. | A ray is a part of a line that has a fixed starting point but no endpoint. |
| The length of a line segment is definite. So, it can be measured. | As a ray has no endpoint, its length cannot be measured. |
The line segment AB is denoted as AB. | When naming a ray, it is denoted by drawing a small ray on top of the name of the ray.  |
What is the maximum number of points that a line can consist of?
A line consists of an infinite number of points.
What are some everyday examples of line segments ?
We may find various examples of line segments surrounding us, such as the edge of tiles, the edges of rulers, the edge of a rectangular table, the edge of a book, etc.
Is line AB the same as line BA? Can line AB be written as line BA?
Yes, both notations denote the same line since a line extends infinitely on both sides.
Is the length of the line segment PQ the same as the length of the line segment QP?
Line segments PQ and QP represent the same segment since the endpoints are the same.
