
# 4.1: Euclidean geometry

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Euclidean geometry, sometimes called parabolic geometry, is a geometry that follows a set of propositions that are based on Euclid's five postulates.

There are two types of Euclidean geometry: plane geometry, which is two-dimensional Euclidean geometry, and solid geometry, which is three-dimensional Euclidean geometry.

The most basic terms of geometry are a point, a line, and a plane. A point has no dimension (length or width), but it does have a location. A line is straight and extends infinitely in the opposite directions. A plane is a flat surface that extends indefinitely.

#### Points

Definitions

Please refer to the image below for examples.

Collinear points: points that lie on the same straight line or line segment. Points A, B, and C are collinear.

Line Segment: a straight line with two end points. Lines AC, EF, and GH are line segments

Ray: a part of a straight line that contains a specific point. Any of the below line segments could be considered a ray

Intersection point: the point where two straight lines intersect, or cross. Point I is the intersection point for lines EF and GH.

Midpoint: a point in the exact middle of a given straight line segment. Point B is the midpoint of line AC.

THINKing out Loud

How many different lines can you draw through a fixed point? How many different lines can you draw through two  fixed points? How many different lines can you draw through three  fixed points?

#### Angles

Definitions

Angle: $$\measuredangle ACB$$. Normally, Angle is measured in degrees ($$^0$$) or in radians rad).

Right angle: Angles which measure 90° - $$\measuredangle ABC$$

Obtuse angle: Angles which measure > 90° - $$\measuredangle CDE$$

Acute angle: Angles which measure < 90° - $$\measuredangle FDE$$

Straight angle: Angles which measure 180° $$\measuredangle CDF$$

Reflex angle: A reflex angle is an angle, that is  measured > 180°, which adds to an angle to make 360° - $$\measuredangle CDE$$'s reflex angle is $$\measuredangle CDF + \measuredangle FDE$$

Adjacent angles: Have the same vertex and share a side. $$\measuredangle HRL, \, \measuredangle HRO$$ are adjacent.

Complementary angles: add up to 90°. $$\measuredangle PRQ, \, \measuredangle QRI$$ are complementary angles.

Supplementary angles: add up to 180°. $$\measuredangle JSN, \, \measuredangle NSK$$ are supplementary angles.

Vertical angles (X property): Angles which share line segments and vertexes are equivalent. $$\measuredangle JSR, \, \measuredangle OST$$ are vertical angles. They share the same degree value.

Corresponding angles (F property): Angles which share a line segment that intersects with parallel lines, and are in the same relative position on each respective parallel line, are equivalent. $$\measuredangle IRQ, \, \measuredangle KUQ$$ are corresponding angles. They share the same degree value.

Alternate interior angles (Z property): Angles which share a line segment that intersects with parallel lines, and are in opposite relative positions on each respective parallel line, are equivalent. $$\measuredangle HRS, \, \measuredangle RST$$ are alternate interior angles. They share the same degree value.

Bisecting an Angle: To bisect an angle is to draw a line concurrent line through the angle's vertex which splits the angle exactly in half. This is possible using a compass and an unmarked straight-edge.

Trisecting an Angle: To trisect an angle is to use the same procedure as bisecting an angle, but to use two lines and split the angle exactly in thirds. This is an ancient impossibility - it is impossible to accomplish using a compass and an unmarked straight-edge.

#### Lines

Definitions

Parallel lines: Lines which, drawn on a 2-dimensional plane, may extend forever in either direction without ever intersecting. Lines $$HI$$ and $$JK$$ are parallel.

Perpendicular lines: Lines which intersect at exactly a 90° angle. Lines $$HI$$ and $$MP$$ are perpendicular.

Concurrent lines: Lines which all intersect at the same point. Lines $$HI, \, LQ, \, MP, \, NO$$ are concurrent.

Skew lines: Lines which, drawn in a 3-dimensional space, are both neither parallel nor perpendicular and do not intersect.

Perpendicular Bisector: A line that is perpendicular to a given line and bisects it is called perpendicular bisector.

Example $$\PageIndex{1}$$:

Draw a cube and connect all the edges. Can you find  two skew lines?

#### Planes

Definition

plane is a two-dimensional space that extends infinitely in all directions. For example, the graph of functions takes place on a Cartesian plane, or a plane with coordinates. The plane continues in both the x and, y directions.

The points, lines, and planes are objects with the relations given by following axioms:

1. There is a unique line passing through two distinct points.
2. If two points lie in a plane, then any plane containing those points lies in the plane.
3. There is a unique plane containing three non-collinear points.
4. If two planes meet, then their intersection is a line.

#### Euclid's five postulates

Euclid's five postulates can be stated as follows

1. It is possible to draw a straight line segment joining any two points.
2. It is possible to indefinitely extend any straight line segment continuously in a straight line.
3. Given any straight line segment, it is possible to draw a circle having the segment as a radius and one endpoint as its center.
4. All right angles are equal to each other or congruent
5. Through a given point not on a given straight line, only one line can be drawn parallel to a given line.