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Geometry Definitions
Browse our growing collection of geometry definitions:
AA Similarity
AA Similarity or angle angle similarity means when two triangles have corresponding angles that are congruent as shown in the image below, the triangles are si…
AAS Congruence
AAS Congruence or angle angle side congruence is when two triangles have corresponding angles and sides that are congruent as shown in the image below, the tri…
Abscissa
In mathematics, the abscissa and the ordinate are respectively the first and second coordinates of a point in a coordinate system. The abscissa is the first co…
Accuracy
Accuracy is how close an approximation is to an actual value. In other terms, in measurement of a set, accuracy refers to closeness of the measurements to a sp…
Acute Angle
An acute angle is an angle that has a measure less than π⁄2 radians or 90° degrees.
Acute Triangle
An acute triangle (or acute angled triangle) is a triangle in which all three interior angles are acute angles (less than π⁄2 radians or 90 degrees).
Altitude
Altitude otherwise referred to as height is defined based on the context in which it is used (aviation, geometry, geographical survey, sport, atmospheric press…
Altitude of a Cone
The altitude or height of a cone is the distance from the apex of a cone to its base. It is the shortest line segment between the apex of a cone and the (possi…
Altitude of a Cylinder
The altitude or height of a cylinder is the distance between the bases of a cylinder. It is the shortest line segment between the (possibly extended) bases. Al…
Altitude of a Parallelogram
The altitude or height of a parallelogram is the distance between opposite sides of a parallelogram. It is the shortest line segment between opposite sides. Al…
Altitude of a Prism
The altitude or height of a prism is the distance between the two bases of a prism. It is the shortest line segment between the (possibly extended) bases. Alti…
Altitude of a Pyramid
The altitude or height of a pyramid is the distance from the apex to the base of a pyramid. It is the shortest line segment between the apex of a pyramid and t…
Altitude of a Trapezoid
The altitude or height of a trapezoid is the distance between the two bases of a trapezoid. It is the shortest line segment between the bases. Altitude can als…
Altitude of a Triangle
The altitude or height of a triangle is the distance between a vertex of a triangle and the opposite side. It is the shortest line segment between a vertex of …
Annulus
A annulus or washer is the region between two concentric circles which have different radii. The area of a annulus = π (R2 − r2)
Apex
An apex is the vertex of an isosceles triangle having an angle different from the two equal angles. An apex can also be the common vertex at the top of a figur…
Area of a Circle
The area of a circle is calculated using the formula: A = πr2 where r represents the circles radius.
Area of an Equilateral Triangle
The area of an equilateral triangle is calculated using the formula: A = s2√ 3 ⁄4 where s represents the equilateral triangles common sid…
Bidimensional Space
Bidimensional space otherwise referred to as two dimensional space is a geometric setting in which two values (called parameters) are required to determine the…
Chord
A chord of a circle is a straight line segment on the interior of a circle whose endpoints both lie on that circle. The infinite line extension of a chord is a…
Circumference
Circumference may be defined by some as the distance around the outside of an arbitrary closed object (sometimes restricted to a closed curved object).
Collinear
In geometry, collinearity of a set of points is the property of their lying on a single line. A set of points with this property is said to be collinear (somet…
Compression
A compression or contraction is a transformation in which a figure grows smaller. Compressions may be with respect to a point (compression of a geometric figur…
Concurrent
Concurrent refers to when two or more lines or curves all intersect at a single point.
Diameter
Diameter is a line segment connecting two points on a circle or sphere which pass through the center. Diameter is also used to refer to the specific length of …
Endecagon
A endecagon otherwise referred to as a undecagon, hendecagon or 11-gon in geometry is an eleven sided polygon.
Equidistant
A point is said to be equidistant from a set of objects if the distances between that point and each object in the set are equal.
Fixed
Fixed means that the object is regarded as fixed in the plane so that it may not be picked up and flipped if referring to a planar object. As a result, mirror …
Height
Height otherwise referred to as altitude is defined based on the context in which it is used (aviation, geometry, geographical survey, sport, atmospheric press…
Height of a Cone
The height or altitude of a cone is the distance from the apex of a cone to its base. It is the shortest line segment between the apex of a cone and the (possi…
Height of a Cylinder
The height or altitude of a cylinder is the distance between the bases of a cylinder. It is the shortest line segment between the (possibly extended) bases. He…
Height of a Parallelogram
The height or altitude of a parallelogram is the distance between opposite sides of a parallelogram. It is the shortest line segment between opposite sides. He…
Height of a Prism
The height or altitude of a prism is the distance between the two bases of a prism. It is the shortest line segment between the (possibly extended) bases. Heig…
Height of a Pyramid
The height or altitude of a pyramid is the distance from the apex to the base of a pyramid. It is the shortest line segment between the apex of a pyramid and t…
Height of a Trapezoid
The height or altitude of a trapezoid is the distance between the two bases of a trapezoid. It is the shortest line segment between the bases. Height can also …
Height of a Triangle
The height or altitude of a triangle is the distance between a vertex of a triangle and the opposite side. It is the shortest line segment between a vertex of …
Hendecagon
A hendecagon otherwise referred to as a undecagon, endecagon or 11-gon in geometry is an eleven sided polygon. The name hendecagon, from Greek hendeka which me…
Horizontal
Horizontal means oriented in a position perpendicular to up and down, and therefore parallel to a flat surface. For instance, a floor or the horizon are both h…
Kite
A kite is a planar convex quadrilateral consisting of two adjacent sides of length a and the other two sides of length b that are congruent.
Obtuse Angle
An obtuse angle is an angle that has a measure greater than π⁄2 radians or 90° degrees but less than π radians or 180° degrees.
Obtuse Triangle
An obtuse triangle (or obtuse angled triangle) is a triangle in which one of the interior angles is an obtuse angle (greater than π⁄2 radians or 90 …
Ordinate
In mathematics, the ordinate and abscissa are respectively the second and first coordinates of a point in a coordinate system. The ordinate is the second coord…
Pappus's Theorem
Pappus's theorem or the theorem of Pappus generally refer to several different theorems. They include Pappus's centroid theorem, the Pappus chain, Pa…
Perimeter
A perimeter is a path that encompasses or surrounds a two-dimensional shape. The term perimeter refers either to the curve constituting the boundary of a lamin…
Pi (Π, π)
Pi (Π, π) is the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet, representing the sound [p]. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 80.
Point
A point is the geometric figure formed at the intersection of two distinct lines.
Similar
Two figures are said to be similar when all corresponding angles are equal and all distances are increased or decreased in the same ratio, called the ratio of …
Takeout Angle
A takeout angle is the angle cut out of a circular surface or piece of paper so that the surface can be rolled into a right circular cone.
Tau (Τ, τ)
Tau (Τ, τ) is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 300.
Theorem of Pappus
The theorem of Pappus or Pappus's theorem generally refer to several different theorems. They include Pappus's centroid theorem, the Pappus chain, Pa…
Theta (Θ, θ)
Theta (Θ, θ) is the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, derived from the Phoenician letter Teth. In the system of Greek numerals it has the value 9.
Transversal
A transversal is a line that passes through two lines in the same plane at two distinct points. Transversals play a role in establishing whether two other line…
Truncated Cone or Pyramid
A truncated cone or pyramid is a cone or pyramid which has its apex cut off by an intersecting plane. The plane may be either oblique or parallel to the base.
Truncated Cylinder or Prism
A truncated cylinder or prism is a cylinder or prism which has one base cut off by an intersecting plane. The other base is unaffected by the truncation.
Two Dimensional
Two dimensional or two dimensions is the property of a plane that indicates that motion can take place in two perpendicular directions.
Two Dimensional Space
Two dimensional space otherwise referred to as bi-dimensional space is a geometric setting in which two values (called parameters) are required to determine th…
Two Dimensions
Two dimensions or two dimensional is the property of a plane that indicates that motion can take place in two perpendicular directions.
Undecagon
A undecagon otherwise referred to as a hendecagon, endecagon or 11-gon in geometry is an eleven sided polygon.
Undefined Slope
Undefined slope occurs when the slope is for a vertical line. A vertical line has an undefined slope because all points on the line have the same x-coordinate.
Unit Circle
The unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1 which is centered at the origin on the x-y plane.
Varignon Parallelogram of a Quadrilateral
A Varignon Parallelogram of a Quadrilateral is a parallelogram formed by connecting the midpoints of adjacent sides of a quadrilateral.
Vertex
A vertex is a special point of a mathematical object and is usually a location where two or more lines or edges meet. In other terms, a vertex is a corner poin…
Vertical
Vertical means oriented in a straight up and down position. For instance, a wall is vertical.
Vertical Angles
Vertical angles are angles that are opposite one another at the intersection of two lines. In other terms, given two intersecting lines, the two nonadjacent an…
Vertical Hyperbola
A vertical hyperbola is a conic section that can be thought of as an inside-out ellipse that opens upwards or downwards. In more formal terms a hyperbola means…
Volume
Volume is the total amount of space enclosed or occupied in a solid. Volume generally has units of length and distance cubed (such as cm3, in3, m3 km3, etc.)
Volume by Parallel Cross Sections
The formula (Volume = a∫b A(x) dx, where A(x) is the formula for the area of parallel cross-sections over the entire length of the solid.) and image belo…
Washer
A washer or annulus is the region between two concentric circles which have different radii. The area of a washer = π (R2 − r2)
Washer Method
The washer method is a method for computing the volume of a solid of revolution that is hollow about its axis by integrating over the volumes of infinitesimal …
X-Intercept
A point at which a graph intersects with the x-axis. The x-intercepts of a function must be real numbers, unlike roots and zeros of a function.
X-Y Plane
A plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis.
X-Z Plane
A plane formed by the x-axis and the z-axis.
Y-Intercept
A point at which a graph intersects the y-axis.
Y-Z Plane
A plane formed by the y-axis and the z-axis.
Z-Intercept
A point at which a graph intersects the z-axis.
Zero Dimensions
Zero dimensions or zero dimensional is the property of a point that indicates no motion is possible without leaving that point. Stating a point has zero dimens…
Zero Slope
A slope of zero means that the line is a horizontal line. A horizontal line has slope of 0 because all of its points have the same y-coordinate.