Segment Addition Postulate - Statement, Formula & Examples (2024)

The segment addition postulate in geometry is applicable on a line segment containing three collinear points. It states that if there are two given points on a line segment A and C, then point B lies on the same line segment somewhere between A and C only if the sum of AB and BC is equal to AC.

By applying the segment addition postulate, we can precisely determine the length of a line segment when given specific measurements of its parts. Also, this postulate enables us to divide a line segment into different sections and explore the relation (ratios) between their lengths.

1.Segment Addition Postulate Definition
2.Segment Addition Postulate Formula
3.FAQs on Segment Addition Postulate

Segment Addition Postulate Definition

The segment addition postulate states that if a line segment has two endpoints, A and C, a third point B lies somewhere on the line segment AC if and only if the equation AB + BC = AC is satisfied. Look at the image given below to have a better understanding of this postulate.

Segment Addition Postulate - Statement, Formula & Examples (1)

If we carefully look at its name "Segment Addition Postulate", it is very easy to understand.

  • A segment, here, means a line segment. It emphasis that this postulate is applicable only on a line segment, and not on a ray or a line. A line segment is part of a line bounded by two defined endpoints. We can have an infinite number of points between the endpoints of a segment.
  • The "addition" means that we are adding the distances between points.
  • Finally, "postulate" means this axiom is taken as a fact or valid without any proof.

Another way of stating the segment addition postulate is that if point B lies on the line segment AC, then AB + BC = AC.

Segment Addition Postulate Formula

If the end-points of a line segment are denoted as A and C, and there lies a point B on the line segment, then the segment addition postulate formula is given as AB + BC = AC.

Further, extending this theorem to two points, If there are two points B and D on the segment, we will have the formula as AB + BD + DC = AC.

☛ Related Topics:

  • Segment Addition Postulate Worksheets
  • Lines
  • Difference Between Line and Line Segment
  • Line Segment

FAQs on Segment Addition Postulate

What is Segment Addition Postulate in Geometry?

The segment addition postulate in geometry is the axiom which states that the length of a line segment divided into smaller pieces is the sum of the lengths of all those smaller segments. So, if we have three collinear points A, B, and C on segment AC such that B is somewhere between A and C, then AB + BC = AC. It is a mathematical fact that can be accepted without proof.

What are the Two Conditions of the Segment Addition Postulate?

The two conditions of the segment addition postulate are given below:

  • A point P lies on a segment MN if and only if points M, P, and N are collinear taken in order.
  • The distance between MP and PN must be equal to MN.

What are the Examples of Segment Addition Postulate?

As per the segment addition postulate, if we have an iron rod of length 30 inches that is cut into two parts where the length of one part is 14 inches, it means the length of the other part of the rod is 30 - 14 = 16 inches.

What is a Segment Addition Postulate Used For?

We can apply this postulate in calculating the missing lengths. It can be used to find the sum of the smaller parts of a segment to find the total length. The segment addition postulate has its applications in construction, architecture, design, etc.

How to Solve for x with Segment Addition Postulate?

If we have a missing length, let's say x, and we know the total length and the length of the other part of the segment, then we can apply the segment addition postulate to find x. For example, if AB = 3, BC = x, and AC = 5, then we can find x by subtracting AB from AC. This implies AC - AB = 5 - 3 = 2 = BC. i.e., x = 2.

How to Use the Segment Addition Postulate to Show that ae=ab+bc+cd+de?

If a segment AE has three points on it, marked as B, C, and D in order, then according to the segment addition postulate, their sum is equal. So, AE = AB + BC + CD + DE. This is possible by applying the postulate for more than one time.

What is Segment Addition Postulate in Proofs?

The segment addition postulate does not require any proof. It is accepted as a mathematical fact. But many times, we use this axiom in stating proofs for line segments. One such proof is given as "If two congruent segments are added to the line segments of the same length, then their sum is also equal."

Segment Addition Postulate - Statement, Formula & Examples (2024)

FAQs

Segment Addition Postulate - Statement, Formula & Examples? ›

The segment addition postulate

postulate
A postulate (also sometimes called an axiom) is a statement everyone agrees to be correct. This is useful for creating proofs in mathematics and science. Along with definitions, postulates are often the basic truth of a much larger theory or law.
https://simple.wikipedia.org › wiki › Postulate
in geometry is the axiom which states that the length of a line segment divided into smaller pieces is the sum of the lengths of all those smaller segments. So, if we have three collinear points A, B, and C on segment AC such that B is somewhere between A and C, then AB + BC = AC.

What is the formula for segment addition postulate? ›

The segment addition postulate states that if we are given two points on a line segment, A and C, a third point B lies on the line segment AC if and only if the distances between the points meet the requirements of the equation AB + BC = AC.

What is the segment addition postulate 9th grade? ›

The segment addition postulate states that if three points A, B, and C are collinear such that B lies between A and C, then the sum of the lengths of segment AB and segment BC is equal to the length of the entire segment AC.

What is an example of a postulate in math? ›

One postulate in math is that two points create a line. Another postulate is that a circle is created when a radius is extended from a center point. All right angles measure 90 degrees is another postulate.

How do you do the addition postulate? ›

The Angle Addition Postulate states that the sum of two adjacent angle measures will equal the angle measure of the larger angle that they form together. The formula for the postulate is that if D is in the interior of ∠ ABC then ∠ ABD + ∠ DBC = ∠ ABC. Adjacent angles are two angles that share a common ray.

Does the segment addition postulate apply to all points? ›

Segment Addition Postulate: The measure of any line segment can be found by adding the measures of the smaller segments that make it up. If the points are not on a straight line, the Segment Addition Postulate does not apply.

Which of the following statement represents the segment addition postulate? ›

Instant Answer. The Segment Addition Postulate states that if three points A, B, and C are collinear and B is between A and C, then AB + BC = AC. Therefore, the correct statement that represents the Segment Addition Postulate is: Points A, B, C are collinear and B is between A and C, then AB + BC = AC.

What is the converse of the segment addition postulate? ›

Statement: If B lies on the segment from A to C, then AB + BC = AC. Also the converse: If AB + BC = AC, then B lies on the segment from A to C. This is a "common sense" type of rule. If you draw a picture, this rule will be obviously true.

What is the segment addition postulate bisector? ›

Any segment can be divided by locating a point between two endpoints, creating two new segments. The segment addition postulate states a segment's length equals the sum of the two new segments formed by any point between the endpoints of the original segment.

What is postulate 5 and examples? ›

If a straight line falling on two straight lines makes the interior angles on the same side of it taken together less than two right angles, then the two straight lines, if produced indefinitely, meet on that side on which the sum of angles is less than two right angles.

What is a postulate statement? ›

A postulate is a statement that is assumed true without proof. A theorem is a true statement that can be proven. Listed below are six postulates and the theorems that can be proven from these postulates.

What are the rules of postulate? ›

GEOMETRY POSTULATES AND THEOREMS

Postulate 1: Through any two points, there is exactly one line. Postulate 2: The measure of any line segment is a unique positive number. The measure (or length) of AB is a positive number, AB. Postulate 7: If two points lie in a plane, then the line joining them lies in that plane.

What is postulate equation? ›

If you have a line segment with endpoints A and B, and point C is between points A and B, then AC + CB = AB. The Angle Addition Postulate: This postulates states that if you divide one angle into two smaller angles, then the sum of those two angles must be equal to the measure of the original angle.

What does a segment bisector look like? ›

A segment bisector is a line, a ray, a line segment, or a point that cuts a line segment at the center dividing the line into two equal parts. The word segment can also be referred to as line segment that means a segment is a part of the line that has fixed endpoints.

What is the sum of segments in math? ›

The sum of two segments is another segment that begins at the origin of the first segment and ends and the end of the second segment. The length of the line segment sum is equal to the sum of the lengths of the two segments that form it.

What is the AB BC AC theorem? ›

Segment Addition Postulate:

If three points A, B and C are collinear and B is between A and C, then AB + BC = AC.

What is the formula for distance in geometry? ›

The formula to find the distance between the two points is usually given by d=√((x2 – x1)² + (y2 – y1)²). This formula is used to find the distance between any two points on a coordinate plane or x-y plane.

What is the segment addition property of congruence? ›

Segment Addition Postulate: If A, B, and C are collinear, then point B is between A and C if and only if AB + BC = AC. Properties of Segment Congruence: • Reflexive Property of Congruence: AB = AB • Symmetric Property of Congruence: . If AB = CD, then CD = AB.

What is the segment congruence postulate? ›

If two segments have the same length, then they are congruent. If two segments are congruent, then they have the same length. A part of a line that starts at a point and extends indefinitely in one direction. A figure formed by two rays with a common endpoint.

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