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Point (geometry)

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A point is a position in space which has no size, but which does have position.

In geometry, a point has no size, but has a position. This means it has no volume, area or length. We usually draw a point as a small cross 'X' or a small dot (a small, round shape). Different points can be labelled using capital letters (A, B, C...X, Y, Z).[1][2] The point is one of the most fundamental ideas in geometry.[3]

Two points form a line segment. When part of a line segment, the points are called its vertices. All polytopes are made of vertices.

In general, two points can be:

  • Coincident (they are one and the same, such as on coinciding lines)[4]
  • Not coincident (they are not one and the same)

and are always:

  • Coplanar (on the same plane)
  • Colinear (on the same line)
  • Concyclic (on the same circle)

Three points can be:

  • Colinear
  • Coincident
  • Not coincident
  • Not colinear

and are always:

  • Coplanar
  • Concyclic

Four points can be:

  • Coplanar
  • Colinear
  • Coincident
  • Not coincident
  • Not colinear
  • Not coplanar
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References

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  1. "List of Geometry and Trigonometry Symbols". Math Vault. 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  2. "Point - math word definition - Math Open Reference". www.mathopenref.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  3. "Points, Lines, and Planes". www.cliffsnotes.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  4. "Coincident Lines (Definition, Equation & Example)". BYJUS. Retrieved 2024-08-19.