What Are Some Examples of Line Segments in the Home?
Some examples of line segments found in the home are the edge of a piece of paper, the corner of a wall and uncooked spaghetti noodles. A line segment is defined as the portion of a line that has two end points.
Comparing a line segment to a common object found in the home is one of the best ways to help students understand the concept. In geometry, a line extends indefinitely in either direction, but a line segment is a portion of a line with two given end points. Observing similarities between a line segment and everyday items, such as a book’s spine or the edge of a table helps students grasp this sometimes confusing idea.
Another way to demonstrate a line segment is to take it outside of the home. For example, the student and an adult could take a walk from their house, or “Point A,” down the street in a straight line. They then continue to a second destination, such as a neighbor’s house, which is “Point B.” The walk from Point A to Point B represents a line segment. Once the student understands the practical definition of a line segment, the leap to comprehending other parts of a line, such as vectors and rays, is an easy one.
