Difference between revisions of "Dimension"
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A 1-dimensional object is a [[line]], or [[line segment]], which has length, but no other characteristics. | A 1-dimensional object is a [[line]], or [[line segment]], which has length, but no other characteristics. | ||
− | A 2-dimensional object has length and height, but no depth. Examples of 2D objects are | + | A 2-dimensional object has length and height, but no depth. Examples of 2D objects are [[plane]]s and [[polygon]]s. |
− | A 3-dimensional object has length, height, and depth. Examples of 3D objects are a [[cube]] and a [[sphere]]. | + | A 3-dimensional object has length, height, and depth. Examples of 3D objects are a [[cube (geometry) | cube]] and a [[sphere]]. |
== Other Dimensions == | == Other Dimensions == | ||
− | + | Physicists often view the 4th dimension as [[time]]. This view is not necessary in mathematics: mathematicians can calculate and prove a wide variety of facts about higher-dimensional objects (such as the 4-D [[hypercube]] or [[hypersphere]]), even if these objects cannot exist physically in our (apparently) 3-D universe. | |
− | |||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[General relativity]] | * [[General relativity]] |
Revision as of 21:13, 8 November 2006
This article is a stub. Help us out by expanding it.
In mathematics, dimensions are parameters used to describe the position and characteristics of an object in space.
Basic Dimensions
A 0-dimensional object is a point, which has no length, height, or depth.
A 1-dimensional object is a line, or line segment, which has length, but no other characteristics.
A 2-dimensional object has length and height, but no depth. Examples of 2D objects are planes and polygons.
A 3-dimensional object has length, height, and depth. Examples of 3D objects are a cube and a sphere.
Other Dimensions
Physicists often view the 4th dimension as time. This view is not necessary in mathematics: mathematicians can calculate and prove a wide variety of facts about higher-dimensional objects (such as the 4-D hypercube or hypersphere), even if these objects cannot exist physically in our (apparently) 3-D universe.