Difference between revisions of "Point"
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| − | A '''point''' is an entity with a location. In [[Euclidean Geometry]], points have no size, area, length, or any other characteristics except position. The [[intersection]] of two non-[[parallel]] [[line]]s is a point. | + | A '''point''' is an entity with a location. In [[Euclidean Geometry]], points have no [[size]], [[area]], [[length]], or any other characteristics except [[position]]. The [[intersection]] of two non-[[parallel]] [[line]]s is a point. |
Two points are used to denote a line, [[ray]], or [[line segment]]. | Two points are used to denote a line, [[ray]], or [[line segment]]. | ||
Revision as of 00:14, 1 November 2006
A point is an entity with a location. In Euclidean Geometry, points have no size, area, length, or any other characteristics except position. The intersection of two non-parallel lines is a point.
Two points are used to denote a line, ray, or line segment.
An angle can be denoted by either one or three points. If there is only one angle with this point as its vertex, only one point is needed; if there are multiple angles with this point as their vertex, three points are needed (the vertex is the middle point when written).
An arc can be denoted by either two or three points. If the arc has a measure less than 180 degrees, only two points are needed; if the arc has a measure equal to or greater than 180 degrees, three points are needed.
Coordinates
In 2 dimensions, a point has two coordinates (
and 
). Example: 
In 3 dimensions, a point has three coordinates (, and 
). Example: 
2-Dimensional Graph
A 2-dimensional graph has the x- and y-axes going horizontally and vertically. Given coordiantes, a point can be plotted; and given a point, its coordinates can be found.
To plot a point on a 2-dimensional graph, move to the right (positive) or left (negative) times, and then move up (positive) or down (negative) times. On a 2-dimensional graph, The point 
is located like this:
3-Dimensional Graph
A 3-dimensional graph is different from a 2-dimensional graph. The x- and y-axes are now "flat," and the z-axis is vertical. The x-axis should actually be pointing at you, but since this is impossible, it is diagonal. Given coordiantes, a point can be plotted; but given a point, its coordinates cannot be found.
To plot a point on a 3-dimensional graph, move down and to the left (positive) or up and to the right (negative) times, then move to the right (positive) or left (negative) times, and finally, move up (positive) or down (negative) times. On a 3-dimensional graph, the point 
is located like this:
