In geometry, a segment is a portion of a line delimited by two points.
Originating from the Latin word segmentum , the concept of segment describes the portion of a line that is delimited by two points . From the perspective of geometry, a line is the product of the union of infinite segments and points; The segment, on the other hand, is only a portion of a line joined by a pair of points.
Segments are said to be consecutive when they have a common end. If they belong to the same line they are called collinear segments , otherwise they are called non-collinear segments .
Segment types
Establishing a typology we can speak, therefore, of the following types of segments:
Null segment, the one whose ends coincide.
Consecutive segments are those that have an end in common.
Adjacent segments are two consecutive segments that are part of the same line.
We also have to refer to what is known as the bisector of a segment. It is defined by being the line that passes through what is the midpoint of that point and is also perpendicular to it.
Operations Development
In addition to all of the above, we also have to establish that various operations can be carried out with segments. Among them, the most frequent is the sum that is defined as being another segment that begins with the origin of the first segment and ends with the end of the second segment. The length, therefore, of the so-called sum segment is, therefore, that of the sum of the two previous segments.
However, you can also undertake the subtraction of segments, the multiplication of a number by a segment, the division of a segment by a number or the division of a segment into parts.
Continuing in this area of geometry we cannot ignore the expression spherical segment. This is defined as each of the parts into which a sphere has been divided that has been cut by a plane that, at no time, has passed through what is the center of it.
The body structure of insects is made up of several segments.
Segment in zoology and mechanics
Zoology , for its part, takes advantage of the notion of segment to identify each part belonging to a line series that is part of the body structure of certain species of animals (among which insects can be mentioned, for example). or the organs of other types of beings (as occurs with the vertebrae of our spine).
In the field of mechanics we also talk about segments. Here, they give their name to the metal rings that are placed in the circular grooves of the piston and that, having a larger diameter than this, adjust to the sides of the cylinder.
The concept in linguistics and everyday language
In the field of linguistics , a segment is understood as the sign or set of signs that can be isolated from the oral chain through an analysis operation.
Everyday language names as a segment that portion or fragment that is cut or divided with respect to a whole . For example: "This segment of the program will be dedicated to the tragedy in Haiti" , "My radio program has four defined segments: politics, sports, entertainment and technology" , "The route is in good general condition, except for the segment that connects the northern beach with the fishing village» , «The first segment of the speech was somewhat confusing» .