Skill: Identify points and line segments

A point shows one exact location. It is named with a capital letter, such as $A$.

A line segment is a straight path connecting two different points. It includes both endpoints. A segment with endpoints $A$ and $B$ is named $\overline{AB}$ or $\overline{BA}$.

Example

Look at this drawing:

        C
       / \
      /   \
     A-----B

Step 1: Identify the points.
The capital letters mark the points:

$$A,\ B,\ \text{and } C$$

So, the drawing has three points.

Step 2: Find each straight path connecting two points.

• The path from $A$ to $B$ is $\overline{AB}$.
• The path from $A$ to $C$ is $\overline{AC}$.
• The path from $B$ to $C$ is $\overline{BC}$.

Step 3: Check the endpoints.
Each segment has two endpoints:

• $\overline{AB}$ has endpoints $A$ and $B$.
• $\overline{AC}$ has endpoints $A$ and $C$.
• $\overline{BC}$ has endpoints $B$ and $C$.

So, the drawing shows 3 points and 3 line segments.