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What does the ∥ symbol mean?

Published in Geometry 1 min read

The ∥ symbol means "is parallel to".

Explanation of Parallel Lines and the ∥ Symbol

In geometry, parallel lines are lines in a plane that never intersect or meet. The symbol ∥ is used to denote this relationship.

  • Definition: Two lines are parallel if they lie in the same plane and do not intersect, no matter how far they are extended.

  • Symbolism: The symbol "∥" is a visual representation of two parallel lines.

  • Example: If line AB is parallel to line CD, it is written as AB ∥ CD.

  • Non-Parallel Lines: Lines that intersect are, by definition, not parallel.

  • Axiom: A line is not parallel to itself, as it intersects itself infinitely often.

In summary, the ∥ symbol is a concise and universally recognized notation to indicate that two lines (or line segments, rays, etc.) are parallel to each other.

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