Mathematical Systems

The four parts of a mathematical system are:

1. “Undefined” terms - Terms such as point,

line, and plane are classified as undefined
because they do not fit into any set or category
that has been previously determined.
 2. Definitions ( defined terms )
The four characteristics of a good definition are:
a. It names the term being defined;
b. It places the term into a set or category;
c. It distinguishes itself from other terms in that category
( without providing unnecessary facts)
d. It is reversible.**
- If a triangle is isosceles, then it has two congruent sides.
- If a triangle has two congruent sides, then it is
issoceles.
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 DEFINITIONS:
Vocabulary

1. DISTANCE
The distance of AB is AB.
The distance between two points is the length of a straight line
segment that links them.
2. MIDPOINT
M is the midpoint of AB if M is on AB and
AM = MB
• A point on a line segment that divides it into two equal parts.
The halfway point of a line segment
The midpoint M bisects the line
• segment, AB
Principles
3. Postulates ( axioms, conjectures )
Postulate – a statement that is assumed to be
true.
4. Theorems
Theorem – a statement that follows logically from
previous definitions and principles; a statement
that can be proved to be true.
• Corollary – a theorem that follows from
another theorem as a “by-product”; a
theorem that is easily proved as the
consequence of another theorem.
• Lemma – a theorem that is introduced and
proved so that a later theorem can be proved
(“helping theorem”).
 POSTULATES AND THEOEREMS
Postulate 1: Through any two points, there is
exactly one line.
Postulate 2: The measure of any line segment is a
unique positive number. The measure (or length)
of AB is a positive number, AB.
Postulate 3: If X is a point of AB and A-X-B (X is
between A and B), then AX + XB = AB
Postulate 4: If two lines intersect, then they
intersect in exactly one point
Postulate 5: Through any three noncollinear
points, there is exactly one plane.
Postulate 6: If two planes intersect, then their
intersection is a line.+
Postulate 7: If two points lie in a plane, then the
line joining them lies in that plane.
Theorem 1.1: The midpoint of a line segment is
unique.