Questions tagged [geometric-intuition]

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48 votes
2 answers
7k views

Geometric interpretation of the half-derivative?

For $f(x)=x$, the half-derivative of $f$ is $$\frac{d^{\frac{1}{2}}}{dx^{\frac{1}{2}}} x = 2 \sqrt{\frac{x}{\pi}} \;.$$ Is there some geometric interpretation of (Q1) this specific derivative, and, (...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
67 votes
11 answers
10k views

How should one think about non-Hausdorff topologies?

In most basic courses on general topology, one studies mainly Hausdorff spaces and finds that they fit quite well with our geometric intuition and generally, things work "as they should" (sequences/...
34 votes
6 answers
6k views

How to explain the concentration-of-measure phenomenon intuitively?

One way to phrase the "concentration-of-measure" phenomenon is that, for a Euclidean sphere $S^d$ in $d$ dimensions, for large $d$, "most of the mass is close to the equator, for any equator."1 Q. ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
85 votes
12 answers
87k views

Why is the gradient normal? [closed]

This is a somewhat long discussion so please bear with me. There is a theorem that I have always been curious about from an intuitive standpoint and that has been glossed over in most textbooks I ...
Kim Greene's user avatar
  • 3,583
36 votes
5 answers
4k views

What is the general geometric interpretation of modules in algebraic geometry?

Algebraic geometry is quite new for me, so this question may be too naive. therefore, I will also be happy to get answers explaining why this is a bad question. I understand that the basic philosophy ...
KotelKanim's user avatar
  • 2,007
24 votes
2 answers
12k views

Geometric interpretation of Cartan's structure equations

Given a linear connection on a Riemmanian manifold $M$ and $\phi^1,...,\phi^n$ a local frame for $T^*M$ we can define the connection 1-forms $\omega^j_i$. We define the curvature 2-forms by $\Omega_i^...
Manuel Rivera's user avatar