Axiomatic Structure of
a Mathematical
System
Allen John C. Bongbonga
An axiomatic system is a system
composed of the following:
• Undefined terms
• Definitions or Defined terms
• Axioms or Postulates
• Theorems
Undefined Terms
• Undefined terms are terms that are left
undefined in the system. Instead of
providing a definition for them, we resort to
a description, illustration, or
demonstration.
Examples:
• Point - represented by a it has no
dot, length, width, or
• thickness.
Line - represented by a straight line with
two arrowheads, it has no thickness but
its length extends and goes on forever
in both directions.
Definitions
• Definitions or defined on the other
terms hand are terms the undefined
defined from terms in the
system.
Examples
• Angle - A figure formed by two rays, called
the sides of the angle, sharing a common
endpoint, called the vertex of the angle.
• Parallel lines - Lines in a plane which do
not meet.
Postulates
• Postulates are statements are
that
considered true without proof or validation.
Postulate is synonymous to the word Axiom
Examples
• Postulate: Through any two points there is
exactly one line.
• Postulate: If two lines intersect, then they
intersect at exactly one point.
• These statements need not to be
proven.
Theorems
• Theorems are statements proved to
be true using postulates, definitions,
other established theorems, and logic.
Let’s Generalize
What are the four composition of an axiomatic structure
• Undefined terms
• Defined Terms
• Postulates/Axioms
• Theorems
Check your understanding
1. ___________ are statements that are considered true without
proof or validation.
2. ___________ have no definition. It is only described or
illustrated.
3. ___________ are statements proved to be true using
postulates, definitions, other established theorems, and logic.
4. ___________ are terms that have a formal definition and can
be defined using other geometrical terms.
5. ___________ it is composed of undefined terms, definitions,
postulates and theorems that is consistent, independent and
complete.
Identify the following terms being described/defined.
6. These are points that lie on the same straight line or in a
single line
7. This means identical in shape and size.
8. A figure which is formed by two rays or lines that share a
common endpoint.
9. Two angles whose sum is equal to 90 degrees.
10. These are two adjacent angles whose non-common side
11. It is the middle point of a line segment. It divides the
segment into two congruent parts.
12. It is the most fundamental object in geometry. It is
represented by a dot and represents position only; it has no
dimensions.
13 . Two angles when added together the total is 180 degrees.
14. These are any set of points that lie on the same plane.
15. This is a set of infinitely many points. It extends infinitely in
two opposite directions. It has infinite length but no width and
