Date: 8/27/96 at 22:15:6
From: Doctor Robert
Subject: Re: What is a point?
The word "point" is often left undefined in geometry texts. It is
pretty easy for us to conceptualize a point, but it is quite difficult
to define exactly. I would say that a point is an entity that has
only one characteristic. That characteristic
OL
is its position. But
then, you see, I haven't defined position, have I? Anyway, a point
has no size, color, smell, feel, etc. It has only its position.
A point is often represented by a smudge of chalk on a blackboard,
or a smudge of pencil lead on a piece of paper. But, of course,
those are only representations. A point can really only exist
in our minds.
I hope you're not more confused than when I started.
-Doctor Robert, The Math Forum
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