spherical triangle

American  

noun

Geometry.

1. a triangle formed by arcs of great circles of a sphere.

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spherical triangle British  

noun

1. a closed geometric figure formed on the surface of a sphere that is bounded by arcs of three great circles

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Etymology

Origin of spherical triangle

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

In a spherical triangle the sum of the angles is greater than 180 degrees, and in a triangle drawn on a saddle surface it is less.

From Scientific American • Mar. 4, 2011

For this purpose we have a right-angled spherical triangle, Z S P, Fig.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 360, November 25, 1882 by Various

In the spherical triangle given on next page, we have given the point A, being the position of the moon in right ascension and declination in the heavens, and considered as terrestrial latitude and longitude.

From Outlines of a Mechanical Theory of Storms Containing the True Law of Lunar Influence by Bassnett, Thomas

The Piers have occasionally, in the earlier examples, detached shafts; but they more usually consist of a solid mass of engaged shafts, separated by hollow mouldings, and disposed on the plan of a spherical triangle.

From The Seven Periods of English Architecture Defined and Illustrated by Sharpe, Edmund

This is also easily calculated by the same spherical triangle.

From Treatise on Light by Huygens, Christiaan