Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: AndrewC
It fits the definition of a triangle as long as you're willing to set aside that inconvenient triangle inequality theorem ;), and an equilateral triangle to boot - it has three equal sides of length zero. At least, it satisfies the definition for the purposes of forming a triangle circle. You can calculate the values of the angles yourself, if you like. I think you already did, actually ;)

Equilateral triangles are usually regarded as having three equal angles of 60 degrees. But that is a consequence of having three equal sides of length > 0, not a part of the definition of an equilateral triangle. Obviously, that does not hold true when the lengths are equal to zero.

955 posted on 05/24/2002 10:39:35 PM PDT by general_re
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 952 | View Replies ]


To: general_re
You can calculate the values of the angles yourself, if you like. I think you already did, actually ;)

Yes, that applet did. The result was NaN which means not a number(undefined). The fact that one can play games and define a new geometry is not a secret. But people tend to have agreed upon foundations from which to proceed in debates. So in closing my participation in this greased pig contest I will give a few links to definitions.

Unit Vectors

Unit Vectors:



Triangle -- from Mathworld

Allowable side lengths a, b, and c for a triangle are given by the set of inequalities a > 0, b > 0, c > 0, and , , .

Degenerate --- from Mathworld

A limiting case in which a class of object changes its nature so as to belong to another, usually simpler, class. For example, the point is a degenerate case of the circle as the radius approaches 0

956 posted on 05/24/2002 11:22:21 PM PDT by AndrewC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 955 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson