Dimension

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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.

See Also