Talk:Subtended arc

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Subtend and insist

As far as I know, an angle is subtended by an arc, and not vice versa. Also, an object is subtended by a solid angle, and not vice versa. English is not my mother tongue. However, in my language there exists a second verb, which is used to express the opposite concept. I am not sure, but the most likely English translation of this verb is "to insist" (an angle insists on an arc = an angle defines the endpoints of an arc).

Thus, "subtended arc" is improper. The article should be called "subtended angle", and its text modified. Paolo.dL (talk) 17:20, 18 December 2007 (UTC)

Yes, this is very confusing. In the article listed as Solid Angle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_angle), the following quote is made: "The solid angle, Ω, is the angle in three-dimensional space that an object subtends at a point." It appears there is confusion as to what subtend actually means. What should be the object of the verb? I must admit I see the statement that an object subtends an angle more frequently than visa versa. Should this article be corrected?Firth m (talk) 23:25, 24 February 2008 (UTC)