Octant (plane geometry)
In plane geometry, octant is a circular sector obtained by division of the full circle into 8 equal parts, hence the name. It is a sector with the central angle of 45°.
An 8-point windrose
Usage
Most commonly, octants are seen on the compass rose.
Traditionally wind direction is given as one of the 8 octants (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) because that is more precise than merely giving one of the 4 quadrants, and the wind vane typically does not have enough accuracy to bother with more precise indication.
The name of the instrument "octant" comes from the fact that it is based on 1/8th of the circle.
gollark: Then do that and not space mining, and research the space things on the side, I guess.
gollark: Then… don't do that? I mean, you can learn about rocketry and metal economics and the distribution of elements in the asteroid belt and whatever yourself.
gollark: If it becomes profitable people will just ignore that.
gollark: I don't disagree with that. I disagree with your credentialist attitude.
gollark: And would a degree program in electric cars - before anyone knew about what they'd be like - have actually been helpful?
See also
- Octant (solid geometry) - three-dimensional
- Orthant - n-dimensional
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