Difference between revisions of "Dimension"
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In [[mathematics]], '''dimensions''' are parameters used to describe the position and characteristics of an object in [[space]]. | In [[mathematics]], '''dimensions''' are parameters used to describe the position and characteristics of an object in [[space]]. | ||
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A 2-dimensional object has length and height, but no depth. Examples of 2D objects are [[plane]]s and [[polygon]]s. | 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 3-dimensional object has length, height, and depth. Examples of 3D objects are [[cube (geometry) | cube]]s and [[sphere]]s. |
== 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. | 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. | ||
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== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[General relativity]] | * [[General relativity]] | ||
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* [[Albert Einstein]] | * [[Albert Einstein]] | ||
| + | {{stub}} | ||
[[Category:Definition]] | [[Category:Definition]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Geometry]] | ||
Revision as of 12:18, 25 April 2008
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 cubes and spheres.
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
This article is a stub. Help us out by expanding it.
