Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (2024)

Home » Math Vocabulary » Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples, FAQs

  • What Is the Segment Addition Postulate in Geometry?
  • How to Use ​​Segment Addition Postulate
  • How to Know if Three Points are Collinear
  • Solved Examples on Segment Addition Postulate
  • Practice Problems on Segment Addition Postulate
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Segment Addition Postulate

What Is the Segment Addition Postulate in Geometry?

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.

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (1)

The segment addition postulate (segment addition theorem), in simple words, states that if we divide a line segment into smaller segments, the sum of lengths of the smaller segments will add up to the length of the original segment. It is applicable to the line segments.

The segment addition postulate is an important property of line segments that is used to check if three points are collinear or whether a point lies on a given segment or not.

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (2)Begin here

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Segment Addition Postulate: Definition

The Segment Addition Postulate is a fundamental principle in geometry that states that if three points A, B, and C are collinear such that B lies somewhere on AC, then the sum of the lengths of the segments AB and BC is equal to the length of the entire segment AC.

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Segment Addition Postulate: Formula

The formula for the segment addition postulate with respect to three collinear points A, B, C is given by

l(AB) + l(BC) = l(AC)

OR

AB + BC = AC

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (23)

How to Use ​​Segment Addition Postulate

Let’s understand the steps to use the segment addition postulate with the help of an example.

Example: Find the length of the line segment AB.

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (24)

Step 1: Identify the collinear points and note down the given lengths of the line segments.

Here, C lies between A and B.

AC = 4

BC = 7

Step 2: Write the segment addition formula with respect to the given collinear points.

Here, AC + CB = AB

Step 3: Substitute the values and simplify.

AB = 4 + 8 = 12 units

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (25)

How to Know if Three Points are Collinear

  • If the point P lies between A and B, then AP + PB = AB.
  • If AP + PB = AB, then P lies between A and B, and the points A, P, and B are collinear.

Facts about Segment Addition Postulate

  • The segment addition postulate is not applicable to lines or rays.
  • This postulate can identify the midpoint of the line segment. If AB + BC = AC and AB = BC, then B is the midpoint of AC.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the segment addition postulate, which is a fundamental property of line segments that helps us to identify collinear points. Let’s solve a few examples and MCQs for better understanding.

Solved Examples on Segment Addition Postulate

1. Does point B lie on segment AC if segment AB = 3 units, BC = 5 units, and AC = 6 units?

Solution:

AB = 3 units, BC = 5 units, and AC = 6 units

Let us calculate the sum of AB and BC.

l(AB) + l(BC) = 3 + 5 = 8 units

l(AC)=6 units

l(AB) + l(BC)$/neq$ l(AC)

Thus, B does not lie on the line segment AC.

2. In the given diagram, l(AC) = 28 units. Find x.

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (26)

Solution:

B lies between the points A and C.

AB + BC = AC

2x + 3x + 3 = 28

5x + 3 = 28

5x = 25

x = 5

Thus, the value of x is 5.

3. The point R lies on the line segment PS, where PR = 5x, RS = (6x + 1) , and PS = 56 units. What will be the value of x, PR, RS and PS?

Solution:

As point S lies on the line segment PS, the equation will be:

PR+RS=PS

5x+6x+1=56

11x + 1 = 56

11x = 56 – 1

11x = 55

$x = \frac{55}{11}$

x =5

PR = 5$ \times$ 5 = 25 units

RS = 6(5) + 1=31 units

4. Find GH.

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (27)

Solution:

G lies between F and H.

FH = 35 units

GF = 20 units

By segment addition postulate, FG + GH = FH

GH = FH – FG

GH = 35 – 20

GH = 15 units

Practice Problems on Segment Addition Postulate

1

What will be the value of ST if RS = 1 unit and RT = 13 units, and the point S lies on a line segment RT?

1

13

12

14

CorrectIncorrect

Correct answer is: 12
RS + ST = RT
1 + ST = 13
ST = 12

2

If the point Y bisects the line segment XZ, then

XY = YZ

XZ = 2XY

XZ = 2YZ

All of the above

CorrectIncorrect

Correct answer is: All of the above
By the segment addition postulate, XY + YZ = XZ
Since Y is midpoint of XZ, we have XY = YZ
Thus, XZ = 2XY = 2YZ

3

The points IJKL are collinear: IJ = 9, JK = 11, and IL = 26. What is the length of KL?

3

4

5

6

CorrectIncorrect

Correct answer is: 6
IJ + JK + KL = IL
9 + 11 + KL = 26
KL = 6 units

4

What will be the value of x if Q lies on line segment PR such that PQ = 3x - 3, QR = 2x-1, and PR = 11?

8

7

3

10

CorrectIncorrect

Correct answer is: 3
$PQ + QR = PR$
$3x - 3 + 2x-1 = 11$
$5x = 11 + 4$
$x = 3$

Frequently Asked Questions about Segment Addition Postulate

The Segment Addition Postulate deals with line segments and their lengths. The Angle Addition Postulate deals with the angles and their measures

It is used to find the measurement of walls, small objects with unknown parts of lengths and other similar items.

No, the postulate specifically applies to collinear points. If the points are not on the same line, the postulate does not hold.

The algebraic property of equality defines the segment addition of equality.

Yes, the postulate can be extended to include more than three collinear points. The sum of the lengths of the intermediate line segments would be equal to the length of the entire line segment.

AB + BC + CD = AD

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (28)
Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples (2024)

FAQs

Segment Addition Postulate: Definition, Formula, Examples? ›

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 an example of a segment addition postulate? ›

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 an example of a postulate in math? ›

For example, a well-known postulate in mathematics is the segment addition postulate, which states the following: Segment Addition Postulate: If a point, B, is drawn on a line segment AC, then AC is the sum of AB and BC. That is, AB + BC = AC.

What is the formula for the angle 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.

What is an example of segments in geometry? ›

Each side of a square is made up of line segments – parts of straight lines. There are also many examples of line segments in real life. For example, A side of a ruler is straight and has clear endpoints.

What is the objective of segment addition postulate? ›

The segment addition postulate states the distance along a line equals the sum of its parts. Solving algebraic problems using these concepts is emphasized. This document provides instruction on measuring segment lengths using rulers and postulates.

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? ›

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 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 short answer? ›

a. : to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary : depend upon or start from the postulate of. b. : to assume as a postulate or axiom (as in logic or mathematics) postulation.

What is a short sentence for postulate? ›

The theory postulates [=claims, posits] that carbon dioxide emissions contribute to global warming. Scientists have postulated the existence of water on the planet.

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 the formula of segment? ›

Here is a list of area of segment formula class 10: Area of a Segment in Radians = A = (½) × r2 (θ – Sin θ) Area of a Segment in Degrees = A = (½) × r2 × [(π/180) θ – sin θ]

What is an example of a segment object in geometry? ›

Real Life Examples of Line Segment

Edges of table. Matchstick. Edge of a ruler.

What is an example of two congruent segments? ›

Real Life Congruent Line Segments

Two identical pens with the same length. Two sides of the roof of a house with the same length. The two short sides and the two long sides of a rectangular table.

What is a segment congruence postulate? ›

Two line segments are congruent if and only if they have equal lengths.

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.

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