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| There are three conventional spatial [[dimension]]s: length (or depth), width, and height, often expressed as x, y and z. x and y axes appear on a plane Cartesian graph and z is found in functions such as a "z-buffer" in computer graphics, for processing "depth" in imagery. The '''fourth dimension''' is often identified with [[time]], and as such is used to explain [[space-time]] in Einstein's theories of [[special relativity]] and [[general relativity]]. When a reference is used to four-dimensional co-ordinates, it is likely that what is referred to is the three spatial dimensions plus a time-line. If four (or more) spatial dimensions are referred to, this should be stated at the outset, to avoid confusion with the more common notion that time is the Einsteinian fourth dimension. | | There are three conventional spatial [[dimension]]s: length (or depth), width, and height, often expressed as x, y and z. x and y axes appear on a plane Cartesian graph and z is found in functions such as a "z-buffer" in computer graphics, for processing "depth" in imagery. The '''fourth dimension''' is often identified with [[time]], and as such is used to explain [[space-time]] in Einstein's theories of [[special relativity]] and [[general relativity]]. When a reference is used to four-dimensional co-ordinates, it is likely that what is referred to is the three spatial dimensions plus a time-line. If four (or more) spatial dimensions are referred to, this should be stated at the outset, to avoid confusion with the more common notion that time is the Einsteinian fourth dimension. |
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| *[[Fourth Dimension (Stratovarius album)|Fourth Dimension]] is an album by [[Power Metal]] band [[Stratovarius]] | | *[[Fourth Dimension (Stratovarius album)|Fourth Dimension]] is an album by [[Power Metal]] band [[Stratovarius]] |
− | *The fourth dimension has been a subject of popular fascination since at least the 1920s. See ''Into the Fourth Dimension'' (1926) by [[Ray Cummings]], the comic [[Eugene the Jeep]] or [["—And He Built a Crooked House—"]]<!-- Quote marks are part of the title --> by [[Robert A. Heinlein]] | + | *The fourth dimension has been a subject of popular fascination since at least the 1920s. See ''Into the Fourth Dimension'' (1926) by [[Ray Cummings]], the comic [[Eugene the Jeep]] or [["—And He Built a Crooked House—"]] by [[Robert A. Heinlein]] |
| *''[[Donnie Darko]]'' uses the Fourth Dimension as a plot for [[Time Travel]]ing. The reference is related to water being a fourth dimensional tool for time traveling. | | *''[[Donnie Darko]]'' uses the Fourth Dimension as a plot for [[Time Travel]]ing. The reference is related to water being a fourth dimensional tool for time traveling. |
| *[[Alan Moore]]'s [[graphic novel]] ''[[From Hell]]'' uses the fourth dimension as a reference to the insanity of [[Jack the Ripper]]'s character. | | *[[Alan Moore]]'s [[graphic novel]] ''[[From Hell]]'' uses the fourth dimension as a reference to the insanity of [[Jack the Ripper]]'s character. |
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| *In the videogame ''[[Mother (video game)|Mother]]'', the main character can use a special PK ability called "Fourth Dimension Slip" to instantly get out of any battle. | | *In the videogame ''[[Mother (video game)|Mother]]'', the main character can use a special PK ability called "Fourth Dimension Slip" to instantly get out of any battle. |
| *In [[Frank Herbert]]'s ''[[Dune (novel)|Dune]]'' the fourth dimension is used when folding space to allow instantaneous travel through space. | | *In [[Frank Herbert]]'s ''[[Dune (novel)|Dune]]'' the fourth dimension is used when folding space to allow instantaneous travel through space. |
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− | ==See also==
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− | *[[Euclidean space]]
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− | *[[Euclidean geometry]]
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− | *[[Polychoron]] (4-dimensional [[polytope]])
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− | *[[4-manifold]]
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− | *[[Exotic R4|Exotic '''R'''<sup>4</sup>]]
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− | *[[First dimension]]
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− | *[[Second dimension]]
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− | *[[Third dimension]]
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− | *[[List of geometry topics]]
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− | *[[Block Theory of the Universe]]
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− | * ''[[:s:Flatland|Flatland]]'' Book written by "A. Square" about two and [[three-dimensional space]], to understand the concept of four dimensions
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− | *''[[:s:Sphereland|Sphereland]]'' Unofficial Sequel to [[Flatland]]
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− | *[[4D Man]]. 1959 Sci-Fi horror film.
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| ==External links== | | ==External links== |