The word "planimeter" (plæˈnɪmɪtər) refers to a measuring instrument used to determine the area of a two-dimensional figure. The word contains three syllables with primary stress on the second syllable. The initial sound is a voiceless bilabial plosive (/p/) followed by a voiced alveolar nasal (/n/). The vowel sound in the first syllable is a lax front unrounded vowel (/æ/) and in the second syllable is a lax mid central vowel (/ɪ/). The final syllable contains a voiceless alveolar plosive (/t/) followed by a schwa sound (/ər/).
A planimeter is a mechanical or electronic measuring instrument used to determine the area of irregular shapes on a two-dimensional surface, such as maps or land plots. It operates based on the principles of integral calculus and uses a tracing wheel or stylus to trace the outline of the shape under investigation. The device can be used by engineers, architects, surveyors, and cartographers for precise and accurate measurements of various objects or areas.
The planimeter consists of a fixed measuring wheel or roller, which is connected to a rotating wheel via an articulated arm or linkage. When the tracing wheel moves along the boundary of the shape, the rotation of the measuring wheel is recorded by gears or a digital mechanism. By integrating the rotation values over the entire perimeter, the planimeter calculates the enclosed area accurately. This eliminates the need for complicated mathematical calculations or estimation, saving time and effort for the user.
Planimeters come in different types and designs, including polar planimeters and digital planimeters. The modern electronic versions may have additional features like LCD screens or built-in memory for storing measurements. With advancements in technology, the accuracy and efficiency of planimeters have significantly improved, enabling precise area measurements in a matter of seconds. The instrument has proven to be particularly useful in fields that heavily rely on accurate area calculations, such as surveying, mapmaking, and agriculture.
An instrument formed of jointed levers with a recording index, used for measuring the area of any surface, by tracing its boundaries.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "planimeter" has its etymology rooted in the Latin language. It comes from the combination of two Latin words: "planus" meaning "flat" or "plane", and "metron" meaning "measure". Together, these words form "planimeter", which refers to a measuring instrument used to determine the area of an irregularly shaped two-dimensional figure.