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Line Segment Calculator

Calculate how many line segments can be formed with n points on a straight line

📐Segment Calculator
Enter the number of points to calculate total line segments
Understanding the Formula

The Line Segment Counting Formula:

Number of segments = n × (n - 1) ÷ 2

Why this formula works:

  • •Each point can connect to every other point to form a segment
  • •From n points, each point connects to (n-1) other points
  • •This gives n × (n-1) connections, but counts each segment twice
  • •Divide by 2 to get the actual number of unique segments
Common Examples

2 points

2×1÷2

1 segment

3 points

3×2÷2

3 segments

4 points

4×3÷2

6 segments

Visual Example with 4 points:

Points: A, B, C, D on a line

Segments: AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD

Total: 6 segments ✓

Applications

Problem Solving:

  • • Counting problems in geometry
  • • Combinatorics and permutations
  • • Network and graph theory

Real-World Examples:

  • • Railway stations on a line route
  • • Houses on a street
  • • Points in a coordinate system