What Are the Subsets of a Line in Geometry?

A geometry class concept.
••• savcoco/iStock/Getty Images

In geometry, a line is a perfectly straight one-dimensional figure extending infinitely in both directions. There are two subsets, or subcategories, of lines in geometry: line segments and rays.

Line Segments

A line segment is a piece of a line that has two distinct endpoints. Because of these endpoints, unlike a line, a line segment doesn't extend infinitely. Rather, it is finite, with a measurable length.

Rays

A ray is essentially a hybrid between a line and a line segment. A ray has exactly one endpoint -- called its origin -- and extends infinitely in the other direction. Like lines, rays are infinite and therefore immeasurable. Rays may sometimes be referred to as half-lines.

Related Articles

What Is the Difference Between Concave & Convex Mirrors?
How to Convert Diameter to Square Centimeters
How to Solve the Unknown Variable of Triangles With...
What Is a Two-Dimensional Shape?
Infrared Vs. Visible Light
How to Calculate Eccentricity
How to Name a Line in Geometry
How to Find a Parallel Line
How to Convert Lux to Candela
What Are the Two Major Components of an Atom?
How to Find a Line of Reflection
What Are Vertices in Math?
How to Figure Out the Slope of a Line
Different Kinds of Geometry
What Is the Point of Intersection of the X-Axis & Y-Axis...
How to Find the Radius of an Arc
How to Calculate the Area of an Oval
How to Convert Radian to Minutes
How to Calculate the Diameter of a Circle From a Linear...
How to Divide Rational Numbers

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!