Mathematics for Computer Graphics Applications, Second Edition

A point is the simplest of the elementary geometric objects: points, lines, and planes. In fact we cannot define a point in terms of anything simpler except as a set of numbers. Points are the basic building blocks for all other geometric objects, and elementary geometry demonstrates how many figures are defined as a locus of points with certain constraining characteristics. For example, in a plane, a circle is the locus of points equidistant from a given point, and a straight line is the locus of points equidistant from two given points. In three-dimensional space, a plane is the locus of points equidistant from two given points. We can also define more complex curves, surfaces, and solids this way, by using equations to define the locus of points. This is a powerful way of describing geometric objects, because it allows us to analyze and quantify their properties and relationships. Most importantly to today's technology, points are indispensable when we create computer graphic displays and geometric models. This chapter discusses the definition of a point as a set of real numbers, point relationships, arrays of points, absolute and relative points, displaying points, pixels and point resolution, and translating and rotating points.
A point suggests the idea of place or location. We define a point by a set of one or more real numbers, its coordinates. The coordinates of a point not only locate it in a coordinate system, but also with respect to other points in the system.
A...