2 ms·
A spiral is 2D, like the Archimedean spiral. A helix is 3D, like a spring, or DNA's double helix. Calling them Archimedean helix or DNA's double spiral would ma
by yesenadam 8y ago
A spiral is 2D, like the Archimedean spiral. A helix is 3D, like a spring, or DNA's double helix. Calling them Archimedean helix or DNA's double spiral would make no sense.
Dictionaries aren't a great place to find the actual meaning of words. :-) ..mathematical terms, anyway.
- taejo 8y agoMathematics isn't a great place to find the actual meaning of words, either, if by actual meaning you mean the meaning understood by the general native-speaking population.
- pbhjpbhj 8y agoAs with the "dinosaur" definition; it's about domain. "Spiral staircase" isn't wrong, it's that within geometry words have a greater specificity.