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Geometry Concepts Overview

Sep 5, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers basic geometry concepts including points, lines, planes, collinear and coplanar points, methods for determining planes, and examples distinguishing between coplanar and non-coplanar elements.

Points, Lines, Segments, and Rays

  • A point is a specific location in space, represented by a dot.
  • A segment connects two points and has two endpoints.
  • A ray starts at one point and extends infinitely in one direction.
  • A line has no endpoints and extends infinitely in both directions.
  • Segments, rays, and lines are one-dimensional.

Planes and Their Properties

  • A plane is a flat, two-dimensional surface extending infinitely in x and y directions.
  • Planes can contain points, lines, segments, and rays.

Collinear and Non-Collinear Points

  • Collinear points lie on the same straight line.
  • Non-collinear points cannot all be connected by one line.

Coplanar and Non-Coplanar Points/Lines/Segments

  • Coplanar points or lines exist on the same plane.
  • Non-coplanar points or lines do not all share the same plane.
  • Coplanar segments exist on the same plane; non-coplanar segments do not.

Determining a Plane

  • Three non-collinear points determine a unique plane.
  • A line and a point not on the line determine a unique plane.
  • Two parallel lines determine a unique plane.
  • Two intersecting lines determine a unique plane.

Examples & Q&A

  • Points a, b, and c are collinear if on the same line; otherwise, they are non-collinear.
  • Four points a, b, c, and d are coplanar if all lie on the same plane.
  • Points a, b, c, d, and g are coplanar if in the same plane; adding e or f can make them non-coplanar.
  • Lines ab and cd are coplanar if on the same plane; adding a non-coplanar line like ef changes this.
  • Segments ab and dc are coplanar; segment ef is non-coplanar to these.
  • Points d, e, and c all found in plane x, so they determine plane x.
  • Intersection of two planes (x and y) is a line, such as line ed.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Point — a specific location in space.
  • Line — a straight path extending infinitely in both directions.
  • Segment — part of a line with two endpoints.
  • Ray — starts at one point, extends infinitely in one direction.
  • Plane — a flat, two-dimensional surface extending infinitely.
  • Collinear — points that lie on the same line.
  • Coplanar — points or lines that lie on the same plane.
  • Non-collinear — points not all on the same line.
  • Non-coplanar — points or lines not all on the same plane.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Practice identifying collinear, coplanar, non-collinear, and non-coplanar points in diagrams.
  • Review definitions and methods for determining planes.
  • Prepare for questions involving planes, lines, and points for homework or a quiz.