Point (geometry) facts for kids
A point is a very exact spot in space. Imagine you touch a piece of paper with a super sharp pencil, without moving it at all. That tiny spot is like a point. We know exactly where it is, but it doesn't have any size you can measure.
In geometry, which is the study of shapes and spaces, a point has no size at all. This means it doesn't have any volume (how much space it takes up), area (how much surface it covers), or length (how long it is). It only has a position. We often show a point with a small 'X' or a tiny dot. We always label points with capital letters, like A, B, C, or P. A point is one of the most basic ideas in geometry.
Points Working Together
When we talk about points, they can be in different relationships with each other.
Two Points
When you have two points, they can be:
- Coincident: This means they are actually the exact same point, just named differently sometimes.
- Not coincident: This means they are two different points.
Two points are always:
- Coplanar: They can always be on the same flat surface, like a piece of paper.
- Collinear: They can always be on the same straight Line.
Three Points
When you have three points, they can be:
- Collinear: All three points lie on the same straight line.
- Not collinear: The three points do not all lie on the same straight line. If they are not collinear, they form a triangle.
- Coincident: All three points are the same point.
- Not coincident: They are different points.
Three points are always:
- Coplanar: They can always be on the same flat surface.
- Concyclic: If they are not collinear, you can always draw a circle that passes through all three points.
Four Points
When you have four points, they can be:
- Coplanar: All four points lie on the same flat surface.
- Not coplanar: The four points do not all lie on the same flat surface. Imagine the corners of a box; they are not all on the same flat side.
- Collinear: All four points lie on the same straight line.
- Not collinear: They do not all lie on the same straight line.
- Coincident: All four points are the same point.
- Not coincident: They are different points.
Related Ideas
Images for kids
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A robot thinking about geometry!
