Polygons can be designated as N-gons. What about vertices?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the terminology used to describe vertices in relation to polygons, particularly in the context of 3D modeling and graph theory. Participants explore potential suffixes for referring to a vertex's degree or valence, drawing parallels to existing nomenclature for polygons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that instead of using traditional terms like triangle or quadrilateral, it might be correct to use 3-gon and 4-gon, respectively.
  • Another participant proposes the term "4-valent vertex" as a possible way to describe vertices based on their degree.
  • A different viewpoint expresses concern that terms like "4-point polygon" are cumbersome and suggests a desire for a more concise suffix, such as "-tex," to describe vertices.
  • One participant questions the need for a new suffix and suggests simply referring to vertices by their degree, such as "2nd degree vertex" or "3rd degree vertex."
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for a short and rational name for vertices, mentioning that certain degrees of vertices are categorized under "Poles" and expressing confusion about the mathematical notion of "Pole."
  • Several playful suggestions for suffixes are offered, including "N-tex," "N-link," and "N-string," but no consensus is reached on a preferred term.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific suffix for vertices, and multiple competing views on the terminology remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about existing terminology in graph theory and the appropriateness of proposed suffixes, indicating a lack of established nomenclature for the concepts being discussed.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those involved in 3D modeling, graph theory, or anyone exploring mathematical nomenclature related to polygons and vertices.

probiner
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Hi

In 3D modeling world, people refer to 3 sided polygons as tris, 4 sided as quads and >4 sides polygons as N-gons. Now, if I understand right, actually N-Gon refers to any. So instead of saying Triangle or Quadrilateral, I can say 3-gon and 4-gon and it would be correct, right?

What about vertices? What suffix is used or it would make sense to be used to refer to a vertex's degree/valence?

N-what.png


Cheers
 
Last edited:
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Hey probiner and welcome to the forums.

I haven't head of a postfix term for what you are describing, but then again I don't know much graph theory.

As a guess though maybe something like 4-valent vertex?
 
Hi :)
Well that's a bit like saying 4-point polygon. It's long and doesn't fit well a dissertation, I think (!), where you refer to many of these like a simple quantity.

My wishful thinking was something like a -tex suffix (for example) and then I could go on and say "one 6-tex can be converted into two 5-tex", "and by the way the same concepts that apply to a 5-gon, apply to a 5-tex because they are duals; different elements (vertex and polygon), but same valence" and so on... and then introduce some simple operations where you add and subtract values based on polygons and vertices valence number to get the sum. Like: one 5-gon & one 6-tex & four 3-tex = -1 area.

I'm also open to rational proposes for a suffix, if it's not in the books of Math, I can go along with an invented one, given that's it's not totally silly :)
Any ideas?

Thanks for reading
 
Last edited:
probiner said:
What about vertices? What suffix is used or it would make
sense to be used to refer to a vertex's degree/valence?

Why wouldn't you just refer to a vertex as having an nth degree?
A 2nd degree vertex, a 3rd degree vertex, and so on...



And just let bi-gons be bi-gons.
 
It has to be shorter =P I want a name that is easy, short, and that is rational or feels correct.

These vertices, especially the 3 degree and the 5 degree are under the umbrella of "Poles"
And are designated of E an N by this author (i'm the poster but it's a transcript): http://www.lightwiki.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22

I, on the hand, am a bit more abstract and less practical while I try to see connections and patters (underlying concepts) using a more open and less focused approach: http://forums.newtek.com/showpost.php?p=894021&postcount=24

The subject is the same, although I now need a feel for a more fit nomenclature and E and N don't fit at all. And I don't understand where the mathematical notion of "Pole" fits here at all. So it doesn't even look rational.

So here's a set of silly options:

N-tex
N-link
N-string
...

Any other?

Thanks for reading.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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