Question

do cones have a vertex, or is that tip called something else?

Answer 1

I would say "yes."

Then, I read the discussion here:

http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/54681.html

Answer 2

The bottom line is YES. Call it a vertex.



Question from Felicia, a student:

Does a cone have a vertice? My teacher says that a vertice can only be made if two or more edges join up at an angle, so what do you call a point on a cone?




Felicia,

You are right - the point of a cone is also called the vertex. Mathematics is a broad subject, with many parts, and some common words are used with distinct variations in different areas.

The common 'idea' under both uses is that there is a 'point', and extreme value, when the object is built in 3-space. So the corners of a tetrahedron and a cube (where three or more edges join up) are points in the spatial object. Having several straight edges meeting is sufficient to produce a point, but not necessary.

The point of the cone is also an extreme, but there is no standard way to see this with 'several edges' and no need to go that far. So a common word has taken on two different meanings in different parts of the math.

http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.06/s/felicia1.html

Answer 3

thanks @Directrix i went away a little while tht why i said nothing...lol XD much appreciated

Answer 4

You asked an excellent question. I learned something I did not previously know.

Answer 5

:)