Terms and Notation – G1

Properties and Constructions I – Edexcel GCSE (1MA1): Higher Tier

In this course, Professor Jason Lotay (University of Oxford) discusses topics G1-G6 in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics (1MA1) Specification for Higher Tier. In the first mini-lecture, we cover the conventional terms and notations used in geometry (Topic G1). In the second mini-lecture, we use ruler and compass construction to create perpendicular bisectors and bisect angles (Topic G2). In the third mini-lecture, we explore types of angles and how we can use the properties of angles at a point on straight lines and on parallel lines to prove useful identities (Topic G3). In the fourth mini-lecture, we look at triangles and show how to use triangle congruence tests (Topics G4, G5, G6). In the fifth mini-lecture, we introduce six important quadrilaterals and use our understanding of angles, bisectors, and triangles to prove properties of quadrilaterals (Topics G4, G6). In the sixth mini-lecture, we tie together all the concepts we have learned in this course to find the length of the diagonal in a regular pentagon with side lengths of one unit (Topic G6).

Terms and Notation – G1

In this mini-lecture, we cover Topic G1 by introducing important terms and notation used in geometry. In particular, we focus on: (i) defining the plane, points, and lines; (ii) defining parallel and perpendicular lines, and how to recognise them; (iii) defining polygons, vertices, edges; (iv) examples of polygons, such as pentagons and triangles, including triangle notation for edges and angles; (v) regular polygons, for example the square; and (vi) reflection (horizontally, vertically, and diagonally) and rotation symmetries of the square and how these symmetries compare to those of the rectangle.