Equidistant

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Perpendicular bisector
Circumscribed Polygon

Equidistant refers to a concept in geometry and mathematics where a point or object is at an equal distance from two or more other points or objects. This principle is widely applied in various fields such as geography, physics, and engineering, demonstrating its fundamental importance across disciplines.

Definition[edit | edit source]

In geometry, an equidistant point is a location that is the same exact distance from two or more distinct points. A common example of this is the perpendicular bisector of a line segment, where every point on the bisector is equidistant from the segment's endpoints. Similarly, in the context of a circle, all points on the circumference are equidistant from the center of the circle.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Geography[edit | edit source]

In geography, the concept of equidistance is used in defining boundaries, especially in maritime territories. The equidistant principle may be applied to determine national boundaries where territories are equally distant from the coastlines of two different countries.

Physics[edit | edit source]

In physics, equidistant points are often involved in the study of wave interference, particularly in the context of constructive and destructive interference patterns. The points of constructive interference, where waves amplify each other, can be seen as equidistant from multiple wave sources under certain conditions.

Engineering[edit | edit source]

Engineering applications of equidistance include the design of objects and structures to have uniform stress distributions. For example, in the design of bridges or buildings, ensuring that certain points are equidistant from support structures can help in evenly distributing loads and stresses.

Mathematical Properties[edit | edit source]

The concept of equidistance is closely related to the properties of Euclidean geometry. It is often used in proofs and theorems, such as the perpendicular bisector theorem, which states that a point is on the perpendicular bisector of a segment if and only if it is equidistant from the segment's endpoints.

Equidistant Projections[edit | edit source]

In cartography, an equidistant projection is a map projection that preserves distances from a specific point or along a specific line. While no map projection can preserve true distances everywhere, equidistant projections are designed to maintain accurate distances from a central point or along certain lines, making them useful for specific navigational and geographical analyses.

Equidistant Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD