High School Dimension of subset containing two circles

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the dimensionality of two concentric circles in R². It is established that each circle is one-dimensional due to the nature of its tangent space, which is a line. The space between the circles is classified as two-dimensional because the tangent there is a plane. The conversation also touches on the generalization of dimensions for finite sets of circles, confirming that the dimension remains 1 for any non-empty finite set of circles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of tangent spaces in calculus
  • Familiarity with dimensionality concepts in geometry
  • Basic knowledge of fractals and their dimensionality
  • Experience with R² coordinate systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of tangent spaces in differential geometry
  • Explore the concept of fractal dimensions and their applications
  • Learn about the implications of dimensionality in topology
  • Watch educational videos on dimensionality, such as those by 3blue1brown
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Mathematicians, calculus students, educators, and anyone interested in the geometric properties of shapes and their dimensions.

RubinLicht
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So I am reading a calculus book, and went online to find explanations for why a circle is 1D.
there's the explanations that say something about zooming in very close and seeing that it's indistinguishable from a Real line.
Or you can specify any point on it with only one variable
Or if there was a train on the circle you can only go in two directions, forwards or back (this is a loose definition ofc)

My question: you have two concentric circles centered at the origin with different nonzero radii, is the subset of R2 as defined by these circles one dimensional or two dimensional?

Feel free to ask me for clarifications if something is wrong
 
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The circles themselves are one dimensional, their interior, exterior or the space between them is two dimensional.
The answers you found are all more or less correct. The essential part here is, how do you define the dimension? This will influence the kind of answer you will get. As a thumb rule, you define the dimension of something curved by the dimension of its tangent space at a certain point. Since the tangent of a circle is a line and not, e.g. a plane, it is one dimensional. The space between your two circles is two dimensional, because a tangent there would be a two dimensional plane.
 
fresh_42 said:
The circles themselves are one dimensional, their interior, exterior or the space between them is two dimensional.
The answers you found are all more or less correct. The essential part here is, how do you define the dimension? This will influence the kind of answer you will get. As a thumb rule, you define the dimension of something curved by the dimension of its tangent space at a certain point. Since the tangent of a circle is a line and not, e.g. a plane, it is one dimensional. The space between your two circles is two dimensional, because a tangent there would be a two dimensional plane.
Clarification: I meant just the two curves. Not the space in between, but I see from your explanation that it is one dimensional. Thanks.
 
For the set of two circles, you can use a generalization of the concept of dimensions, typically used for fractals. The result is 1 for every non-empty finite set of circles.
 
mfb said:
For the set of two circles, you can use a generalization of the concept of dimensions, typically used for fractals. The result is 1 for every non-empty finite set of circles.
Ah I remember watching a beautiful video by 3blue1brown on YouTube about this
 

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