Basic Shapes Examples

Name each given shape.

a)

b)

c)

d)

a) This is a line because it continues forever in both directions.

b) This is a plane because it's defined by three non-linear points.

c) This shape is a ray because it begins at a point and continues on forever in only one direction.

d) This shape is a line segment because it begins and ends at a point. It doesn't get to go on forever in any direction.

Name the following geometric shapes found in the image below:

• a line
• a pair of parallel lines
• a pair of perpendicular lines
• a ray
• a line segment
• the plane in which the lines lay

There are three lines: .

There are two parallel lines: .

There are two sets of perpendicular lines: and .

There are many rays in the image, including: , , .

There are many line segments in the image, including: , , .

There are many ways to name the plane. It can be named using any three points on the plane that are not in a line. Here's an example: Plane EBF.

How many points are needed to define a line and how many points are needed to define a plane?

At least two points are needed to define a line, but there can be more than just those two points on the line.

It takes three points to define a plane, but the three points can't line up. Three non-linear points are needed to define a plane.

How many dimensions do the following basic shapes have?

• a point
• a line
• a plane

A point is "dimensionless." When two lines cross over each other, they intersect at a point.

A line has one dimension (length) and, oddly enough, is created when two planes intersect.

A plane has two dimensions (length and width).