THE FOURTH DIMENSION SIMPLY EXPLAINED

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number of points. So any point of this point-aggregate is determined by one number, and, in general, a onedimensional system requires one number for its determination. How is the point determined in a two-dimensional system of points, such as the plane? In determining the point on a line we arbitrarily set a zero. Here we must also have a zero for our measurements, We make this zero the

Figures 5 and 6
Two separate figures illustrating prinicples relevant to this section of the essay. Fig. 5:To locate P on a plane we measure from P to each of two axes at right angles, thus obtaining two numbers. Fig. 6:To locate point P in space, we measure from P to each of three axial planes at right angles, thus obtaining three numbers.

point at which two lines intersect each other at right angles. Such lines may be considered the axes of length and breadth. Now we measure the distance from P (Fig. 5) to each axis, and having these two distances our point can be determined. This is the same system that is used in locating positions on the surface of the earth, when we refer distances to the parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. A point in the two-dimensional plane requires, then, two numbers for its determination, and, in general, for a two-dimensional system two numbers are necessary
Page 223 and sufficient for its determination. The idea of axes is also used in determining position in a solid. A reference to Fig. 6 will make this clear. Here the three distances from point P to each of three planes intersecting at right angles are necessary to determine the position of P. So we find necessary the relation of three distances to determine position in a three-dimensional system. And, to generalize, an "n"-dimensional system of points is such that "n" numbers are necessary and sufficient to determine an individual point amid all the points of the aggregate. Thus, in a fourth-dimensional system four numbers are necessary, and in a fifth-dimensional system five numbers, and so on.

Let us now study the possibilities of motion in the different systems. In a one-dimensional system there is but one possible direction for movement. In a two-dimensional system there is the possibility of movement in two directions. On a line, then, motion is possible in but one direction; in a plane, motion is possible in two directions. In a two-dimensional system all movements are either parallel to the two axes, or are combinations of movement in these two directions. Similarly, in a three-dimensional system, there is possible motion in three directions, and all movements in a three-dimensional system are either parallel to the three axes of length, breadth, and thickness, or are combinations of movement in these three directions. If, then, we extend the argument, we see that in a fourth-dimensional system, movement would be possible in one or all of four directions. How many dimensions does the world in which we live possess? We have seen that a solid possesses three dimensions. Further, according to geometry, a
Page 224 solid is a limited portion of space. If we expand our three-dimensional solid indefinitely, it would consequently fill the space. We are accustomed to consider space, therefore, as three-dimensional, and our world is likewise a world of three dimensions. So reasoning as above, every point in space can be reached by motion in three directions.

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