The word "hyperboloid" is spelled with three syllables: hy-per-bo-loid. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound, as in "eye" (IPA symbol /aɪ/). The second syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, as in "pet" (IPA symbol /ɛ/). The third syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound, as in "toe" (IPA symbol /oʊ/). The word refers to a shape that resembles two connected hyperbolas, often used in mathematics and engineering.
A hyperboloid is a geometric shape that is formed by rotating a hyperbola around its axis or focus. It can be thought of as a three-dimensional surface that resembles a hollow, elongated shape with two distinct sheets. The hyperboloid has two types: one-sheet hyperboloid and two-sheet hyperboloid, each characterized by the number of hyperbolas on the surface.
A one-sheet hyperboloid has a single hyperbola, and its surface is classified as a smooth, continuous shape. It is symmetrical along its rotational axis and branches away from this axis, resembling a saddle shape. The one-sheet hyperboloid is commonly found in architecture and engineering due to its stability and load-bearing capabilities.
On the other hand, a two-sheet hyperboloid consists of two hyperbolas and has two distinct branches that curve in opposite directions. Unlike the one-sheet hyperboloid, the two-sheet hyperboloid is not a closed surface, meaning that it extends infinitely. It is commonly present in mathematics and physics as it can represent various concepts and equations, such as electric field lines and gravitational potentials.
Hyperboloids have numerous applications in engineering, architecture, and science due to their unique geometric properties. They possess great strength, can reduce weight in structures, and exhibit impressive acoustical and flow properties. The distinctive shape of hyperboloids allows for versatility in design, making them suitable for use in satellite dishes, cooling towers, parabolic mirrors, and other complex structures.
A geometrical solid formed by the revolution of a hyperbola about its axis.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word hyperboloid is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: hyper meaning above or beyond, and bolos meaning throw or project. The term was first introduced by the French mathematician Gabriel Lamé in the 19th century to describe a curved surface formed by the rotation of a hyperbola around its axis. The suffix -oid is added in mathematics to denote a resemblance or similarity to the specified form or shape, in this case, a hyperbola. Hence, the term hyperboloid literally means hyperbola-like or resembling a hyperbola.