Mathematical Systems

The four parts of a mathematical system are:

Vocabulary
1. “Undefined” terms
Terms such as point, line, and plane are classified as undefined because they do
not fit into any set or category that has been previously determined.
2. Definitions ( defined terms )
The four characteristics of a good definition are:
1. It names the term being defined;
2. It places the term into a set or category;
3. It distinguishes itself from other terms in that
category ( without providing unnecessary facts)
4. It is reversible.**
** If a triangle is isosceles, then it has two congruent sides.
If a triangle has two congruent sides, then it is isosceles.
DEFINITIONS:

The distance between two points is the

The distance of AB is AB.
Distance length of a straight line segment that
links them.

A point on a line segment that divides it

M is the midpoint of AB if M is
into two equal parts. The halfway point
on AB and
Midpoint of a line segment
AM = MB The midpoint M bisects the line
segment, AB

Principles
3. Postulates ( axioms, conjectures )
Postulate – a statement that is assumed to be true.
4. Theorems
Theorem – a statement that follows logically from previous definitions and principles; a
statement that can be proved to be true.
Corollary – a theorem that follows from another theorem as a “by-product”; a theorem
that is easily proved as the consequence of another theorem.
Lemma – a theorem that is introduced and proved so that a later theorem can be proved
(“helping theorem”).
 Symbols and Definitions in Geometry
Symbols save time and space when writing. Here are the most common geometrical symbols:
Symbol Meaning Example In Words
ABC has 3 equal
Triangle Triangle ABC has three equal sides
sides
The measure of the angle formed by
Angle m ABC is 45°
ABC is 45 degrees.
The line AB is perpendicular to line
Perpendicular AB CD CD

Parallel EF GH The line EF is parallel to line GH

Degrees 360° makes a full circle

Right Angle (90°) is 90° A right angle is 90 degrees

Line Segment
AB The line between A and B
"AB"
The infinite line that includes A and
Line "AB"
B
The line that starts at A, goes
Ray "AB"
through B and continues on
Congruent (same Triangle ABC is congruent to
ABC DEF
shape and size) triangle DEF
Similar (same
Triangle DEF is similar to triangle
shape, different DEF MNO
MNO
size)

Therefore a=b b=a a equals b, therefore b equals a

Parallel MN || CD MN is parallel to CD

The corresponding
congruent sides are marked
with small straight line
segments called hash marks.
The corresponding CAB is congruent toFDE
congruent angles are marked
with arcs. ABC is congruent toDEF
Congruent Angles ACB is congruent toDFE
and Congruent CAB  FDE
AC is congruent to DF
Line Segments ABC  DEF
AB is congruent to DE
ACB  DFE
BC is congruent to EF
AC  DF
AB  DE
BC  EF
  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 3: If X is a point of AB and A-X-B (X is between A and B), then AX + XB = AB
 Postulate 4: If two lines intersect, then they intersect in exactly one point
 Postulate 5: Through any three noncollinear points, there is exactly one plane.
 Postulate 6: If two planes intersect, then their intersection is a line.+
 Postulate 7: If two points lie in a plane, then the line joining them lies in that plane.
 Theorem 1.1: The midpoint of a line segment is unique.

Example 1: State the postulate or theorem you would use to justify the statement made about each figure.