Dimension

In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a mathematical space (or object) is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. Thus, a line has a dimension of one (1D) because only one coordinate is needed to specify a point on it – for example, the point at 5 on a number line. A surface, such as the boundary of a cylinder or sphere, has a dimension of two (2D) because two coordinates are needed to specify a point on it – for example, both a latitude and longitude are required to locate a point on the surface of a sphere.

Extends: Dimension, [Physical quantities](https://wikipedia.org.ai/Physical quantities), [Abstract algebra](https://wikipedia.org.ai/Abstract algebra), [Geometric measurement](https://wikipedia.org.ai/Geometric measurement), [Mathematical concepts](https://wikipedia.org.ai/Mathematical concepts)