What is "analytical geometry"

Mathematics \Math`e*mat"ics\, n. [F. math['e]matiques, pl., L. mathematica, sing., Gr. ? (sc. ?) science. See Mathematic, and -ics.] That science, or class of sciences, which treats of the exact relations existing between quantities or magnitudes, and of the methods by which, in accordance with these relations, quantities sought are deducible from other quantities known or supposed; the science of spatial and quantitative relations. Note: Mathematics embraces three departments, namely:

1. Arithmetic.

2. Geometry, including Trigonometry and Conic Sections.

3. Analysis, in which letters are used, including Algebra, Analytical Geometry, and Calculus. Each of these divisions is divided into pure or abstract, which considers magnitude or quantity abstractly, without relation to matter; and mixed or applied, which treats of magnitude as subsisting in material bodies, and is consequently interwoven with physical considerations.

analytical \analytical\ adj.

1. of or pertaining to analysis (definition 2).

2. (Logic) of a proposition; necessarily true independent of fact or experience, such as ``all spinsters are unmarried''. Opposite of synthetic. Also See: a priori, deductive, {logical.

3. 1 exercising or involving careful analytical evaluations; as, analytic reasoning; an analytical discussion.

   Syn: appraising(prenominal), evaluative.

4. capable of or given to analyzing; -- of people. an analytical mind

   Analytical geometry or co["o]rdinate geometry. See under Geometry.

   Analytic language, a noninflectional language or one not characterized by grammatical endings.

   Analytical table (Nat. Hist.), a table in which the characteristics of the species or other groups are arranged so as to facilitate the determination of their names.

Geometry \Ge*om"e*try\, n.; pl. Geometries[F. g['e]om['e]trie, L. geometria, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to measure land; ge`a, gh^, the earth + ? to measure. So called because one of its earliest and most important applications was to the measurement of the earth's surface. See Geometer.]

1. That branch of mathematics which investigates the relations, properties, and measurement of solids, surfaces, lines, and angles; the science which treats of the properties and relations of magnitudes; the science of the relations of space.

2. A treatise on this science.

   Analytical geometry, or Co["o]rdinate geometry, that branch of mathematical analysis which has for its object the analytical investigation of the relations and properties of geometrical magnitudes.

   Descriptive geometry, that part of geometry which treats of the graphic solution of all problems involving three dimensions.

   Elementary geometry, that part of geometry which treats of the simple properties of straight lines, circles, plane surface, solids bounded by plane surfaces, the sphere, the cylinder, and the right cone.

   Higher geometry, that pert of geometry which treats of those properties of straight lines, circles, etc., which are less simple in their relations, and of curves and surfaces of the second and higher degrees.

n. the use of algebra to study geometric properties; operates on symbols defined in a coordinate system [syn: analytic geometry, coordinate geometry]