# Line Segment And Ray

We come across many shapes in daily life. Consider a triangle, a square or any other shape. To draw any of these figures, one begins with a line or a line segment or a curve. Depending upon the number and arrangement of these lines we get distinct types of shapes and figures. For example, a triangle is a figure enclosed by 3 line segments, Pentagon is a polygon bounded by 5 line segments and so on. We have already discussed line now let us see what is line segment and ray.

## What is a Line Segment?

A line segment is a part of a line having two endpoints. Figures such as a triangle, polygon, hexagon, square are made of different numbers of line segments. The measure of a line segment is called its length.  In contrast to the infinitely extending line, a line segment has a fixed length and can be measured easily. A line segment with A and B as two endpoints is represented as $$\overline{AB}$$.

## What is a Ray?

Ray is another part of a line. It is a combination of a line and a line segment that has an infinitely extending end and one terminating end. As its one end is non-terminating, its length cannot be measured. A ray is represented by $$\overrightarrow{AB}$$  where one end is symbolized by an endpoint and the infinitely extending part by an arrow.

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## Frequently Asked Questions on Line Segment and Ray

### What is a line segment?

The line segment is a part of a line having two endpoints. The distance between the two endpoints can be measured and hence they can form the sides of any polygon.

### What is a ray?

A ray is a part of the line having one fixed point and the other point does not have an end. It means that a ray has one terminating end and the other end is extending infinitely.

### What is the difference between a line segment and a ray?

A line segment is a part of a line having two endpoints and its length is measurable. Whereas a ray has one fixed point (starting point), but it has no endpoint. So, its length cannot be measurable.

### What is the difference between line and line segment?

A line has no endpoints and can be extended on both sides. Whereas, a line segment has two endpoints and cannot be extended on both sides.

### Can we extend the line segment?

No, the line segment cannot be extended as it has two endpoints and a definite length. Whereas, we can extend the line in two opposite directions and a ray can be extended in one end.