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biangle (Definition)

In spherical geometry, it is possible to form a polygon with only two sides. Thus, we have the following definition:

A biangle is a two-sided polygon that is strictly contained in one hemisphere of the sphere that is serving as the model for spherical geometry.

Given a biangle, its vertices must be antipodal points, and its two angles must be congruent. Therefore, every biangle is equiangular. Since each side of a biangle is half of a great circle, every biangle is equilateral. Hence, every biangle is regular.

Let $ \theta$ be the radian measure of each angle of a biangle. Then the biangle covers $ \displaystyle \frac{\theta}{2\pi}$ of the sphere. Since the area of the sphere is $ 4\pi$, the area of the biangle is $ 2\theta$. Note that this equals the angle sum of the biangle.



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Cross-references: angle sum, area, radian, regular, equilateral, great circle, equiangular, congruent, angles, antipodal points, vertices, sphere, contained, strictly, sides, polygon, spherical geometry
There are 2 references to this entry.

This is version 5 of biangle, born on 2007-05-19, modified 2007-10-27.
Object id is 9400, canonical name is Biangle.
Accessed 1390 times total.

Classification:
AMS MSC51-00 (Geometry :: General reference works )
 51M10 (Geometry :: Real and complex geometry :: Hyperbolic and elliptic geometries and generalizations)

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