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Dimension

Dimensions are fundamental concepts used to measure and experience the world, defined by degrees of freedom and varying definitions across mathematics and physics. They can represent spatial measurements (length, width, depth) and other properties like temperature and weight, with vectors being used to indicate positions in these dimensions. The document also discusses the use of dimensions in mathematics and science, highlighting the differences in arithmetic rules for dimensions in these fields.

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11 views2 pages

Dimension

Dimensions are fundamental concepts used to measure and experience the world, defined by degrees of freedom and varying definitions across mathematics and physics. They can represent spatial measurements (length, width, depth) and other properties like temperature and weight, with vectors being used to indicate positions in these dimensions. The document also discusses the use of dimensions in mathematics and science, highlighting the differences in arithmetic rules for dimensions in these fields.

Uploaded by

learningbrain1985
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Dimension

Dimensions are the way we see,


measure and experience our world, by
using up and down, right to left, back to
front, hot and cold, how heavy and how
long, as well as more advanced concepts
from mathematics and physics. One way
to define a dimension is to look at the
From left to right, the square, the cube, and the tesseract. The
degrees of freedom, or the way an object square is a 2-dimensional object, the cube is a 3-dimensional
can move in a specific space. There are object, and the tesseract is a 4-dimensional object. A 1-
different concepts or ways where the dimensional object is just a line. A projection of the cube is given
term dimension is used, and there are since it is viewed on a two-dimensional screen. The same
also different definitions. There is no applies to the tesseract, which additionally can only be shown as
definition that can satisfy all concepts. a projection even in three-dimensional space.

In a vector space (with vectors


being "arrows" with directions), the
dimension of , also written as
[1]
, is equal to the cardinality
(or number of vectors) of a basis of
[2][3] (a set which indicates how many

unique directions actually has). It is


also equal to the number of the largest A diagram of the first four spatial dimensions.
group of straight line directions of that
space. "Normal" objects in everyday
life are specified by three dimensions, which are usually called length, width and depth. Mathematicians
call this concept Euclidean space.

Dimensions can be used to measure position too. The distance to a position from a starting place can be
measured in the length, width and height directions. These distances are a measure of the position.

In some occasions, a fourth (4D) dimension, time, is used to show the position of an event in time and
space.

Other Dimensions
In modern science, people use other dimensions. Dimensions like temperature and weight can be used to
show the position of something in less simple spaces. Scientist study those dimensions with dimensional
analysis.
Mathematicians also use dimensions. In mathematics, dimensions are more general. Dimensions in
mathematics might not measure things in the world. The rules for doing arithmetic with dimensions in
mathematics might be different than usual arithmetic rules.

Dimensions and vectors


Vectors are used to show distances and directions. Vectors are often used in engineering and science, and
sometimes in mathematics.

A vector is a list of numbers. There is one number for each dimension. There are arithmetic rules for
vectors.

For example, if Jane wants to know the position of Sally, Sally can give Jane a vector to show the
position. If Jane and Sally are in the world, there are three dimensions. Therefore, Sally gives Jane a list
of three numbers to show her position. The three numbers in the vector Sally gives Jane might be:

1. Sally's distance north of Jane


2. Sally's distance east of Jane
3. Sally's height above Jane

Related pages
3D
4D
Hypercube, generalization of square and cube beyond three dimensions
Minkowski spacetime, a four-dimensional manifold
Space-time

References
1. "Comprehensive List of Algebra Symbols" (https://mathvault.ca/hub/higher-math/math-symb
ols/algebra-symbols/). Math Vault. 2020-03-25. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
2. Weisstein, Eric W. "Dimension" (https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Dimension.html).
mathworld.wolfram.com. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
3. "Basis and Dimension" (https://web.archive.org/web/20211221123410/https://people.math.c
arleton.ca/~kcheung/math/notes/MATH1107/wk09/09_basis_and_dimension.html).
people.math.carleton.ca. Archived from the original (https://people.math.carleton.ca/~kcheu
ng/math/notes/MATH1107/wk09/09_basis_and_dimension.html) on 2021-12-21. Retrieved
2020-09-07.

Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dimension&oldid=9576547"

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