Line Segments – How to Draw and Measure 
           

We see around us many objects of different geometrical shapes and sizes and understand the basic ideas of shapes, most of them are made up by lines or curves. 

In this lesson we will learn about draw a line segment and measure it with ruler or scale. 

We see around us many geometrical shapes most of them are made up by lines or curves. 

A line segment is a portion or part of a line which has two end points.

In below figure, represent a line segment with two end points x and y, and represented by symbol, and written with short line over xy.

The measure of length of line segment is usually determined in Metric units or Customary units e. g. (centimeter, millimeter or meter) or (inches or foot).

Before we learn how to draw a line segment, first we focus on some properties of line segment.

1. A line segment is the shortest distance between two end points.

2. A line segments has a fixed length.

3. A line segment is measured by a ruler and represented by a diagram.

Draw a line segment :

First we take a peace of a paper, then put a point on the paper, now also put a point somewhere on the paper. Connect them with a straight line.
We get a line segment. Now put letter x at the one point and the letter y at the other side. This is a line segment xy.

Draw a line segment of a given length:

There are two methods to draw a line segment of a given length and measure it.

1. Using scale or ruler only.
2.Using ruler and compass. 

1. Using scale or ruler only.

A line segment has two end points, so the length of a line segment can be measured.
We draw a line segment xy of 3 cm using a ruler.

First, we hold the scale properly on point x coincides with 0 mark of the scale, then we read the scale three points on the right, we got point y and join them. we get a line segment xy of length 3 cm.

Line segment xy, and ab have same measure are said to be congruent, and read as the line xy is congruent to the line ab.

                         xy = ab = 2 cm.

2. Using ruler and compass.

Step 1. Draw a line of any length and mark a point X on line. 

The point X will be the starting point of the line segment.

Step 2. Place the pointer of compass on point X, and go 2 inch right.