Points, Lines, & Planes

Section 1-1

Undefined Terms in Geometry

There are 3 undefined terms in geometry that have no formal definition, but that we have developed a common notion about. point line plane

Point All geometric figures contain points. They have no size. In a figure, a point is represented by a dot. Points are named by capital letters.
P

Line Lines extend indefinitely and have no

thickness or width (1 dimensional). In a figure, a line is shown with arrows at each end. Lines are usually named by lower case script letters or by writing capital letters for 2 points on the line, with a double arrow over the pair of letters. Ex. l, AB, BA
B

Plane - Planes can be thought of as flat

surfaces that extend indefinitely in all directions and have no thickness (2 dimensional). A plane is often represented by a parallelogram. They are usually named by a capital letter or by 3 noncollinear points on the plane OR capital script
A

Ex. ABC, CBA, BAC, CAB, ACB,BCA, OR T

Space a boundless, 3dimensional set of all points. Collinear points that lie on the same line
Coplanar - points that lie on the same plane

2 points determine a line. 3 noncollinear points determine a plane.

The intersection of 2 figures is the set of points that are in both figures

2 lines intersect at a point.

2 planes intersect in a line.

A line and a plane intersect at a point.