Mathematics

Chapter 4: Basic Geometrical Ideas

MATHEMATICS BASIC GEOMETRICAL IDEAS

BASIC GEOMETRICAL IDEAS

Basic Definitions in Geometry

Terms Definition

Point It determines a location and is usually determined by a

capital letter.

Line segment The shortest distance between two points is called a

line segment.

Line By extending a line segment indefinitely on both sides,

a line is obtained.

Intersecting lines If two distinct lines meet or cross at a point, they are
called intersecting lines.

Parallel lines Parallel lines are lines which are always the same
distance apart and never intersect anywhere in a
plane.

Ray A ray is a line which starts from a particular point and

goes infinitely towards a particular direction.

Curve It is a drawing which is done without lifting the pencil.

Simple curve A curve that never crosses itself is a simple curve.

Closed and open A curve is closed if its ends are joined. Otherwise, it is
curves an open curve.

Angle It is made up of two rays which are starting from a

common point.

Polygons
A polygon can be defined as a closed curve which is made up of line segments. Polygons can
be of numerous types like triangles (having 3 line segments), quadrilaterals (having 4 line
segments), pentagon (having 5 line segments), and so on. A few important terms related to
polygons are.

Terms Definition
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Sides of a The line segments are known as the sides of the polygon.
polygon

Adjacent sides Two points having the same endpoint are called adjacent
sides.

Vertex Vertex is the meeting or intersecting point of a pair of

sides.

Diagonal Diagonal is obtained by joining any two non-adjacent

vertices of a polygon.

A polygon is a two-dimensional geometric figure that has a finite number of sides. The sides
of a polygon are made of straight line segments connected to each other end to end. Thus,
the line segments of a polygon are called sides or edges. The point where two line segments
meet is called vertex or corners, henceforth an angle is formed. An example of a polygon is
a triangle with three sides. A circle is also a plane figure but it is not considered a polygon,
because it is a curved shape and does not have sides or angles. Therefore, we can say, all
the polygons are 2d shapes but not all the two-dimensional figures are polygons.
A simple closed figure made up line segments is called a polygon.

Polygon shape
By definition, we know that the polygon is made up of line segments. Below are the shapes
of some polygons that are enclosed by the different number of line segments.
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Types of Polygon
Depending on the sides and angles, the polygons are classified into different types, namely:
• Regular Polygon
• Irregular Polygon
• Convex Polygon
• Concave polygon
Regular Polygon: If all the sides and interior angles of the polygon are equal, then it is
known as a regular polygon. The examples of regular polygons are square, rhombus,
equilateral triangle, etc.
Irregular Polygon: If all the sides and the interior angles of the polygon are of different
measure, then it is known as an irregular polygon. For example, a scalene triangle, a
rectangle, a kite, etc.
Convex Polygon: If all the interior angles of a polygon are strictly less than 180 degrees,
then it is known as a convex polygon. The vertex will point outwards from the center of
the shape.
Concave Polygon: If one or more interior angles of a polygon are more than 180
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degrees, then it is known as a concave polygon. A concave polygon can have at least four
sides. The vertex points towards the inside of the polygon.
Triangles
A triangle is as a polygon having three-line segments or sides. A triangle ABC is written as
∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 as given below

In this triangle, AB, BC, and AC are sides of the triangle and A, B, C are the vertices of the
triangle. Also, the angle between BC and AB is the ∠𝐵, between BC and AC, it is ∠𝐶, and
between AB and AC, it is ∠𝐴.
Quadrilaterals
A quadrilateral is defined as a four-sided polygon i.e. having 4 line segments or sides and
thus, 4 angles. A diagram of a quadrilateral is given for better understanding. It should be
noted that the vertices of a quadrilateral are named in a cyclic manner.

In this diagram, AD and DC are one of the examples of adjacent sides. Also, AD and BC are
one of the opposite sides. Here, angle A and angle C are opposite angles. In this, if the line
segment is drawn from A to C or from B to D, it becomes a diagonal.
Angles
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• An angle is made by two rays starting at a common endpoint.

• These rays are called the arms of the angle.
• The common endpoint is called the vertex of the angle.
• While naming an angle the vertex of the angle has to be in the middle.
• For example: Ray OP and Ray OQ form an angle. It can be denoted as ∠POQ.

• Ray OP and OQ are the arms or sides of the angle. O is the vertex of the angle POQ
Exterior and interior points to an angle
• An angle separates its plane into three regions.
• These regions are the angle, interior of the angle and exterior of the angle.

• In the figure above, points F and R lie in the interior of ∠ABC. Point A, B and C lie on the
angle ∠ABC and P, X and T lie on the exterior of angle ∠ABC.
Circle
• A circle is a simple closed curve which is not a polygon.
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• A circle is basically formed when a point is moving at a fixed distance from a fixed point.

• This fixed point in the middle is called the centre.

• The distance moved by the point around the circle is called the circumference.
Terms related to circle
• The chord of a circle is a line segment joining any two points of a circle.
• A diameter is a chord passing through the centre of a circle.
• The diameter divides a circle into two equal halves called semicircle.

• A region in the interior of a circle enclosed by an arc on one side and a pair of radii on
the other two sides is called a sector.
• A region in the interior of a circle enclosed by a chord and an arc is called a segment.
Line segment
• The shortest distance between two points is called a line segment.
• Those points are called endpoints of the line segment.
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Lines
• When a line segment is extended on both sides infinitely, then it is called a line. Here m
is a line.
• It contains an infinite number of points on it.

Ray
• A ray is a portion of a line. It starts at one point, called its starting point, and goes
endlessly in the other direction.

• In the ray AB, A is the starting point and B is just a point on the path of the ray.

Intersecting and parallel lines

• If two lines have a common point, then they are said to be intersecting.

• Lines l and m here have a common point P, hence they are intersecting lines with P being
the point of intersection.
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• If two lines have no common point, then they are said to be parallel. Here AB and CD are
parallel lines.

Position in a figure
There are three important parts of a closed curve. In the figure below, L is in the interior of
the curve, M is on the boundary while N is in the exterior of the curve.

About Circles
A circle can be defined as a closed figure formed by a set of points in a plane which are
located at the same distance from a fixed point which is the centre. A few important terms
related to circles are:

Terms Definitions

Radius The fixed distance at which the points are located from the
centre is called the radius.

Diameter Diameter is the length of a line segment which joins any

two points on the circle by passing through the centre.
Diameter is always double than the radius.

Circumference The distance around the circle is known as its

circumference or perimeter.

Chord A line segment joining any two points on the circle is a

chord.

Sector It is the region in the interior of a circle which is enclosed

by an arc on one side and a pair of radii on the other two
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sides.

Segment It is a region in the interior of the circle enclosed by an arc

and a chord.

Points
• A point determines a specific location.
• They are denoted by any capital letter of the English Alphabet.
Curves
• In simple terms, any line that is not straight is said to be a curve.
• If a curve does not cross itself, then it is called a simple curve.

Closed and open curves

• A curve is said to be closed if it ends are joined.
• A curve whose ends are opened is said to be open curves.
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MATHEMATICS BASIC GEOMETRICAL IDEAS
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Important Questions
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. A triangle has:
A. one element
B. two elements
C. 6 elements
D. none of these
2. A point where three or more lines meet is called:
A. point of concurrence
B. meeting point
C. collinear point
D. non-collinear point
3. What are used to represent points?
A. Numerals.
B. Capital letters of alphabet.
C. Lower case letters of alphabet.
D. All of the above
4. Which instrument is used to compare two line segments?
A. Compasses
B. A divider
C. Set squares
D. A protractor
5. A __________ of a circle is a line segment joining any two points on the
circle.
A. chord
B. diameter
C. radius
D. None of these
6. A quadrilateral has:
A. one vertex
B. two vertices
C. three vertices
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D. four vertices
7. The meeting point of a pair of adjacent sides of a polygon is called its:
A. vertex
B. diagonal
C. adjacent angles
D. none of these
8. An angle is made up of two ________ starting from common end point.
A. rays
B. vertices
C. lines
D. points
9. If two lines intersects each other then the common point between them
is known as point of _________.
A. concurrence
B. intersection
C. vertex
D. contact
10. What is a set of points extending infinitely in all directions on the same
flat surface called?
A. A line
B. A plane
C. Ray
D. A point
11. A quadrilateral has:
A. one diagonal
B. two diagonals
C. three diagonals
D. four diagonals
12. Three or more points are collinear if they lie on the:
A. same line
B. two lines
C. same surface
D. none of these
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13. Flat surface in which two points are joined by using straight line is
classified as:
A. line
B. plane
C. ray
D. intersecting line
14. What is the number of end points of a line?
A. Zero
B. Two
C. One
D. Three
15. Angle which is less than 90° is called
A. reflex angle
B. obtuse angle
C. acute angle
D. right angle
Match The Following:
Column I Column II

1. Every circle has a point at A. Diameter

2. Line segment passing through the centre of a circle B. Centre

3. Half of the diameter C. Arc

4. The path in the circle formed from two points on the circle D. Radius

Fill in the blanks:

1. ________ has no length, breadth, height or thickness.
2. A line segment has a definite ___________ .
3. Curves that do not intersect themselves are called ___________ curves.
4. An ‘angle’ is made up of ___________ rays having a common end point.
True /False:
1. A point indicates a definite position.
2. A line segment is a part of a plane.
3. A line is a set of points closely arranged.
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4. Two lines in a plane always intersect in a point.

Very Short Questions:
1. Draw rough diagrams to illustrate the following:
a. Open curve.
b. Closed curve.
2. How many end points a line segment have?
3. Illustrate, if possible, each one of the following with a rough diagram:
a. A closed curve that is not a polygon.
b. An open curve made up entirely of line segments.
c. A polygon with two sides.
4. From the figure identify
a. the center of circle.
b. three radii
c. a diameter

5. Write the points which are:

i. in the minor sector OAPB

ii. minor segment ATB
iii. major sector OAQB
iv. major arc AQB
v. minor arc APB
6. Define the following terms:
i. Line segment,
ii. Line,
iii. Intersecting lines,
iv. Parallel lines
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7. Draw a rough sketch of closed curve made up of line segments.

8. Draw two different angles having common point and a common arm.
9. Identify the points which are:
(i) in the interior
(ii) in the exterior
(iii) on the closed curve in the given figure.

10. Identify the following in the given figure:

(a) Sector
(b) Chord
(c) Diameter
(d) Segment.

Short Questions:
1. Using the given figure, name the following:

(a) Line containing point M.

(b) Line passing through four points.
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(c) Line passing through three points.

(d) Two pairs of intersecting lines.
2. On the given line, some points are given, write down the names of all
segments.

How many lines can pass through

(i) one given point?
(ii) two given points?
(iii) three non-collinear points+
3. How many lines can pass through,
(i) one given point?
(ii) two given points?
(iii) three non-collinear points
4. Look at the given figure and answer the following:

(a) Name the sides of the polygon ABCDEF.

(b) Name any two pairs of adjacent sides. .
(c) Name all the segments which intersect each other at one point.
(d) Name all the diagonals of the given polygon.
Long Questions:
1. Draw the medians of a AABC and answer the following:
(а) Name the three medians.
(b) Do the medians intersect each other at the same point?
(c) What is that point called?
(d) Can this point be outside the triangle?
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2. Draw an equilateral ∆ABC of any size. Draw AD as its median and an

altitude AM.
(i) Does AD coincide with AM?
(ii) Name the point on the median which divides it in the ratio 1:2.
(iii) What is the measure of ∠ADC and ∠ADB?
(iv) Are D and M the same points?
3. In the given figure, l, m and n are three parallel lines, x and y intersect
these lines.
(i) Name the points lying on the line x.
(ii) Name the points lying on the line y.
(iii) Name the points inside the quadrilateral ABED.
(iv) Name the points outside the quadrilaterals ABED and BCFE.
(v) Name the lines passing through three points.
Assertion and Reason Questions:
1.) Assertion (A) –The term ‘Geometry’ is the English equivalent of the Greek
word ‘Geometron’.
Reason (R) –‘Geo’ means Earth and ‘metron’ means Measurement.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
2.) Assertion (A) –All objects have different shapes.
Reason (R) –Even today geometrical ideas are reflected in all forms of art,
measurements, architecture, engineering, cloth designing etc.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
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d) A is false but R is true

ANSWER KEY -
Multiple Choice questions:
1. C. 6 elements
2. A. point of concurrence
3. B. Capital letters of alphabet.
4. B. A divider
5. A. chord
6. D. four vertices
7. A. vertex
8. A. rays
9. B. intersection
10. B. A plane
11. B. two diagonals
12. A. same line
13. B. plane
14. A. Zero
15. C. acute angle
Match The Following:
Column I Column II

1. Every circle has a point at B. Centre

2. Line segment passing through the centre of a circle A. Diameter

3. Half of the diameter D. Radius

4. The path in the circle formed from two points on the circle C. Arc

Fill in the blanks:

1. Point has no length, breadth, height or thickness.
2. A line segment has a definite length.
3. Curves that do not intersect themselves are called Simple curves.
4. An ‘angle’ is made up of Two rays having a common end point.
True /False:
MATHEMATICS BASIC GEOMETRICAL IDEAS

1. True
2. False. A line segment is a part of a line that has two end points
3. False. A line is a straight path that is endless.
4. False. Two lines in a plane intersect in a point or parallel.
Very Short Answer:
1.

(a)

(b)
2. 2
3.

(a)

(b)
(c) Not possible.
4. (a) O is the centre of the circle.
̅̅̅̅, OB,
(b) OA ̅̅̅̅̅ OC
̅̅̅̅ are three radii of the circle.
̅̅̅̅ is the diameter of the circle.
(c) AC
5. i. U and N
ii. U
iii. D
iv. A, Q, S and B
v. A, P, T and B
6. i. Line segment: A straight line drawn from any point to any other point is
called as line segment.
ii. Line: Line is a straight path of points that goes on forever in two directions. It
has infinite length, but no breadth and height.
iii. Intersecting lines: Interesting lines are lines that pass through the same
point.
iv. Parallel lines: Parallel lines are never cross and always stay the same
distance apart.
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7. ̅̅̅̅, BC
Required curve is ABCD closed with the line segments AB ̅̅̅̅, CD
̅̅̅̅ and DA
̅̅̅̅

8. ∠AOB and ∠COB are two different angles with common point O and common
arm ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
OB.

9. (i) Points P, Q and R are in the interior of the closed curve.

(ii) points S and T are in the exterior of the closed curve.
(iii) U and V are on the closed curve.
10. (a) OPR (shaded) is the sector of the circle.
(b) ̅̅̅̅̅
MN is the chord.
(c) ̅̅̅̅̅
PQ is the diameter.
(d) MXN (shaded) is the segment.
Short Answer:
1. (a) ⃡⃗⃗⃗⃗
MC is the line containing the point M.
⃡⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ is the line passing through four points A, B, C and N.
(b) AN
(c) ⃡⃗⃗⃗
PQ is the line passing through three points P, B and Q.
(d) Pairs for intersecting lines are
(i) ⃡⃗⃗⃗⃗
AN and ⃡⃗⃗⃗
PQ
⃡⃗⃗⃗⃗ and MC
(ii) AN ⃡⃗⃗⃗⃗
2. Segments are:
̅̅̅̅ RP, ̅̅̅
PQ, ̅̅̅̅ PT, ̅̅̅̅
PS, ̅̅̅̅ QR, ̅̅̅̅
QS, ̅̅̅̅
QT, ̅̅
RS̅̅, RT
̅̅̅̅, ̅̅̅
ST
3. (i) Infinite number of lines can be passed through one given point.
(ii) Only one line can pass through two given points.
(iii) Three lines can pass through three non- collinear points.
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4. (a) The sides of the polygon are:

̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅, ̅̅̅̅
AB, BC CD, ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅̅.
̅̅̅̅ and FA
DE, EF
(b) ̅̅̅̅
AB and BC ̅̅̅̅, BC
̅̅̅̅ and ̅̅̅̅
CD are the pairs of adjacent sides.
̅̅̅̅, BE
(c) AD ̅̅̅̅ and CF̅̅̅̅ intersect each other at O.
(d) Name of the diagonals are:
̅̅̅̅ BE and ̅CF
AD, ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅.

Long Answer:
1. (a) Names of the medians are ̅̅̅̅ BE and ̅CF
AD, ̅̅̅̅ ̅̅̅.
(b) Yes, the medians intersect each other at the same point G.
(c) The point of intersection of the medians of a triangle is called
‘Centroid’.
(d) No, this point cannot be out of the triangle.
2. (i) Yes, AD coincides with AM.
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(ii) The point on the median which divides it in the ratio 1: 2 is called centroid
of the triangle.
(iii) ∠ADC = ∠ADB = 90°
(iv) Yes, D and M are the same points.
3. (i) A, B and C lie on the line x.
(ii) D, E and F lie on the line y.
(iii) Q is the point inside ▢ABED

(iv) Points R and S are outside the quadrilaterals ABED and BCFE.
(v) Lines x and y pass through the three points A, B, C and D, E, F respectively.
Assertion and Reason Answers:
1) b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
2) b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A