noun
locus
A set of points satisfying a mathematical condition.
A circle is the locus of points at a fixed distance from its center.
Etymology
Latin locus means place. Mathematics makes this precise: the locus consists of all the places where a point can be while satisfying a stated condition.
More examples
- She plotted the locus satisfying the equation.
- The exercise asked us to identify the locus of possible positions.
- The diagram shows the locus as a curved line.
Forms
locus · loci
Similar words
- curve
- A curve can be one kind of locus; a locus is defined by a condition on its points and need not be curved.