Geometry Basics
Concepts you must know!
How to find the distance between two points (this is the same
as finding the length of a segment).
Watch this video to review how to find the distance between two
points.
How to find the midpoint of a segment
In order to find the midpoint of segment AC, first
find the slope from A to C.
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑢𝑝 2
Slope = =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 6
Since we want to find the point in the middle,
divide the rise and the run by two, to find the new
slope that will take you to the midpoint.
𝑢𝑝 1
Slope to find midpoint=
𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 3
The midpoint of 𝑨𝑪 is at (0,2).
Translations
This transformation could be described in
the following three ways:
Using the rule (formula): 𝑥 + 9, 𝑦 − 4
In words: translate the shape 9 units to
the right and 4 units down.
Using translation vector 9, −4
Watch video explaining this translation.
Reflection over the y axis
To reflect a point over the y axis,
measure the distance from the point to
the y axis and find the point on the
other side of the y axis that is located
that same distance from the y axis.
So point C is 5 units to the right of the
y axis, notice that its image, C’ is 5
units to the left of the y axis.
Video explaining reflection over the y
axis or over the x axis
Reflection over the x axis
To reflect over the x axis, find the
distance from the point to the x axis
and count that same distance on the
other side of the x axis to find the
location of the image.
As you can see point B is 4 units above
the x axis, and its image, B’ is also 4
units from the x axis but under it.
Video explaining reflecting over the y
axis or over the x axis.
Perpendicular bisector
When a point is reflected over a
line, the line of reflection is the
perpendicular bisector of the
segment connecting the
preimage (point P) to the image
(point P’).
So, 𝑃𝑀 ≅ 𝑀𝑃′
And right angles are formed at
the intersection.
90º CCW Rotation Apply the formula to each point
𝑥 ,𝑦
−𝑦, 𝑥
The formula shows that the x value becomes
the new y, and the opposite of the y becomes
the new x value.
So for example, the image of point C 4,5 is C’
−5,4
Video explaining how to rotate 90 CCW
180º Rotation Apply the 90º rotation formula to each
point twice. The x value becomes the new
y, and the opposite of the y becomes the
new x value.
𝑥 ,𝑦 2 ,5
−𝑦, 𝑥 −5,2
−𝑥 , −𝑦 −2 , −5
So the image of point C 2,5 is C’ −2, −5
Angles
Linear pair angles are adjacent angles
Linear pair angles (next to each other) that together form a
straight angle.
These two angles are supplementary
(their sum is 180º).
So:
𝑚∢2 + 𝑚∢1 = 180°
Video explaining linear pair and
vertical angles
Vertical angles When two lines intersect, four angles
are formed.
The two angles that are opposite to
each other are called vertical angles
and they measure the same.
So,
∢1 = ∢3
And
∢2 = ∢4
Video explaining linear pair and
vertical angles
Angles formed by parallel lines
When two parallel lines are intersected by a
transversal, the angles formed are equal.
Although these angles have specific names,
the most important fact to know is that all
the acute angles will be equal and all the
obtuse angles will be equal.
In the diagram you can see that all the acute
angles measure x and all the obtuse angles
measure 180-x.
Video explaining angles formed by parallel
lines and a transversal
Graphing lines To graph an equation of the form
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏:
1) graph the y intercept, in this
example the y intercept is 2, so
put a point at 2 on the y axis
2) Find other points by using the
slope, in this case you find them
by going up 2, to the right 3 or by
going down 2 and to the left 3.
Video explaining how to graph 𝑦 =
𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
Writing the equation of a line
Video showing how to find equation of a line
If you know a point
on a line and the
slope of the line, you
can find the equation
of the line by using
the point-slope
formula.
Definitions
Plane: a flat surface
Collinear: points on the same line
Coplanar: points or shapes on the same plane
Parallel lines: two coplanar lines that never intersect.
The symbol for parallel is ∥
Perpendicular lines: two lines that intersect forming right angles.
The symbol for perpendicular is ⊥
Slopes of parallel, perpendicular lines
If two lines are perpendicular,
If two lines are parallel, then their slopes are opposite
their slopes are equal. reciprocals.
Here you can see the slope of Here you can see the slope of one
each line is 2. 𝟐 𝟑
line is while the other is −
𝟑 𝟐
How to find the equation of a line parallel
Video showing how to find equation of parallel or perpendicular line
How to find the equation of a line perpendicular
Video showing how to find equation of parallel or perpendicular line
Shortcuts to prove two triangles are
congruent.
Remember that AAA or SSA (the stinky one) cannot be used to prove that two triangles are congruent.
Triangle Angle Sum
Example:
Isosceles Triangles
An isosceles triangles has two
equal sides called the legs. The Example:
side that is not equal is called the
base.
The base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
Relationship between sides and angles
Example:
Which is the smallest side in the triangle
below?
Since angle C is the smallest, the side
opposite to it would be the shortest.
So the answer is side AB.
Triangle Inequality
• The sum of any two sides must be greater than third side or
else the three sides cannot form a triangle.
Parallelogram Properties
