In geometry, a property related to the arrangement or direction of geometric figures in space is specified. This characteristic distinguishes between mirror images and specifies a “handedness.” For example, consider a two-dimensional figure. It can be described as either clockwise or counterclockwise, indicating its rotational direction. In three dimensions, a coordinate system can be either right-handed or left-handed, depending on the arrangement of the axes.
This attribute is fundamental in various areas of mathematics and physics. It allows for the consistent and unambiguous specification of geometric transformations and the relationships between objects. Historically, the need to precisely define and understand this aspect arose from cartography, navigation, and, later, the development of vector analysis and tensor calculus.